Limerick’s new directly elected mayor coming into 'weak' system

Report also suggested there is a danger of 'gridlock' in policymaking

In 2019, the people of Limerick City voted in favour of creating the role of directly elected mayor.

Limerick’s new directly elected mayor “must be sufficiently resourced and empowered” to be able to make a difference but is coming into a “system of local government which remains, comparatively speaking, weak”, a report has suggested.

The report from two senior parliamentary researchers for the library and research service of the Oireachtas also suggested that there is a danger of “gridlock” in policymaking when the mayor is separately elected and not elected by the council.

It comes as the Government announced in the budget over €4.3m of funding in 2024 to support the establishment of the office of mayor in Limerick and provide for a mayoral budget.

Minister of state Kieran O’Donnell said the funding would help to support the “mandate, structures, and means to deliver on the ambition of the office of the first directly elected mayor of Limerick”.

In May 2019, the people of Cork City, Limerick City, and Waterford City voted in a plebiscite on whether to have a directly elected mayor in their city.

Only Limerick voted in favour of creating such a role, which will give significant powers to the person elected for a five-year term.

The Government has promised “significant powers” for the directly elected mayor. Under the legislation, the mayor will take on a number of executive functions in areas such as strategic development, housing and building, road transport, and environmental services.

Several attempts have been made to introduce a directly elected mayor to Irish local government since 2001 and, according to the Oireachtas researchers, in each case the goals were similar: “to enhance accountability at the local level, to strengthen democratic legitimacy and strengthen and provide more visible leadership at a local level”.

They said that whether the position can achieve these goals and avoid unintended consequences depends on the governance structures in place and other factors.

The report points to previous research which suggests that the position is being created “within the context of a highly-centralised State”, where the scope for policymaking at local level is somewhat limited.

“Comparative research highlights problems when a mayor has a popular mandate but little power can be frustrating and confusing for people,” it said.

There is some concern that the envisaged strategic policy role for the mayor will be difficult to realise without greater access to finance and devolved powers.”

The researchers add that the review of the act three years into operation will also be very important, not just for Limerick City, but to advance similar policies for mayors in other cities.

A separate regulatory analysis from the Department of Local Government said that policy proposals indicated that the mayor would receive a salary in line with that of a minister of state. Currently, these ministers earn in the region of €150,000 a year.

Funding would also be available for the directly elected mayor to appoint an advisor.

“Long term cost implications are limited by the fact that the mayor will still be obliged to work within the confines of existing financial controls,” said the analysis.

“It is intended that the mayor will have autonomy in this expenditure within pre-existing government policy guidelines.”

The ballot for the mayor of Limerick will be held on the same day as the local and European elections, which are due to take place in June 2024.