The CEO of Limerick Chamber, Dee Ryan, has said that the enhanced powers and funding proposed for Irelands first office of a Directly Elected Mayor will trigger a new era of self-determination and change for Limerick.
Welcoming the announcement by government that it is to draft legislation for the new role, paving the way for an election before the end of 2021, Ms Ryan said that it gives Limerick further grounds to be confident about the future notwithstanding the current issues presented by COVID-19.
“COVID has been very challenging for business in Limerick, none more so than business owners and colleagues working in the retail, hospitality and tourism sector. While Limerick is on the cusp of an unprecedented level of investment planned for the city, the first Directly Elected Mayor will be faced with developing immediate strategies to ensure vulnerable businesses are supported in recovering from the crisis.
“The new role will have many of the existing local authority chief executive functions, with the Government considering assigning additional powers and funding to the office that would give us greater ability than we have previously had, to take charge of our own destiny.
“That autonomy supported by funding, will critically allow decisions on matters that impact Limerick to be taken within Limerick. It has the potential to accelerate the economic transformation that has been ongoing in Limerick over the past seven years or so.”
Ms Ryan continued: “It is incumbent on all stakeholders to support the success of this significant local government reform and to lead nationally by demonstrating the positive impact that decentralisation of decision making can have for Limerick citizens, business and the environment.’
As the largest business representative body in Limerick and the wider region, Limerick Chamber looks forward to the finalisation of legislation and, critically, clarity on those extra powers and the critical funding envelope that must match the ambition for the office. We will be very clear in relation to our demands of the Directly Elected Mayor so that those who throw their hat in the race know exactly what will be expected of them from a business perspective in the event of that they win.
“There’s much to do between now and then but ultimately we look forward to working with whoever the successful candidate is and building, in a spirit of partnership, a really bright future for Limerick and all its citizens.”
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