Delay 'deeply frustrating' as election of Limerick mayor likely to take place next year

Legislation to create the position has yet to be passed but the government insists it remains committed to establishing a directly-elected mayor in the city

Minister for Local Government Peter Burke said: "We have had a very significant amount of legislation go through the Oireachtas from our Department which has been time-consuming, however, the Mayor of Limerick bill is on the priority list of legislation." Photo: Sasko Lazarov/Rollingnews.ie

The Government remains committed to passing legislation which would allow for the direct election of a mayor of Limerick, the minister responsible has said, with an election now likely to take place next year.

A vote in 2019 to create the role passed by a margin of 52.4% to 47.6% and the first holder of the office will remain in place until 2029, with five-year terms thereafter. The officeholder will be paid a junior minister's salary of €137,000.