Limerick City and County Council (Irish: Comhairle Cathrach agus Contae Luimnigh) is the local authority of Limerick City and County in Ireland. It came into operation on 1 June 2014 after the 2014 local elections.[1] It was formed by the merger of Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council under the provisions of the Local Government Reform Act 2014. As a city and county council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The council has 40 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the title of Mayor. The city and county administration is headed by a director general, Pat Daly. The administrative centre is City Hall, Limerick, with other civic offices at Dooradoyle. Following a plebiscite in 2019, Limerick became the first local authority in Ireland with a directly elected mayor in 2024, when John Moran was elected for a five-year term.
Limerick City and County Council Comhairle Cathrach agus Contae Luimnigh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | City and County council |
| Leadership | |
Príomh Chomhairleoir | Dan McSweeney, FG |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 40 |
 | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
Last election | 7 June 2024 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| City Hall, Limerick | |
| Website | |
Official website  | |
Directly elected mayor
editAt the 2019 local election, a plebiscite was held under Part 6 of the Local Government Act 2019 on the establishment of a directly elected mayor for Limerick City and County.[2] Voters in Limerick approved the proposal by a vote of 52.4%.[3] In January 2021, the government approved the publication of the report on a directly elected mayor for Limerick.[4]
In August 2023, the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 was published.[5] Kieran O'Donnell, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, stated that it was the intention of the government that the election for a directly elected Mayor for Limerick would be held on the same date as the 2024 local elections on 7 June 2024.[6]
The Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 was signed on 6 March 2024.[7]
Under the provisions of the 2024 act, the office of chief executive of the council was renamed as director general.[8] Also, the office of Cathaoirleach was renamed as Príomh Chomhairleoir (lit. Head Councillor). The Príomh Chomhairleoir is the chairperson of the council who holds office for one year.[9]
Regional Assembly
editLimerick City and County Council has three representatives on the Southern Regional Assembly who are part of the Mid-West Strategic Planning Area Committee.[10]
Elections
editMembers of Limerick City and County Council are elected for a five-year term of office on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV) from multi-member local electoral areas.
| Year | FG | FF | Lab | SF | GP | SD | II | Aon | AAA | Ind | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 5 | 40 | ||||||||||
| 2019 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 6 | 40 | ||||||||||
| 2014 | 12 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 40 | ||||||||||
Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts
editLimerick City and County is divided into the following metropolitan and municipal districts and local electoral areas, defined by electoral divisions.[11] The municipal district which contains the administrative area of the former Limerick City Council is referred to as a Metropolitan District.[12]
| Municipal District | LEA | Definition | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan District of Limerick City | Limerick City East | Ballysimon, Ballyvarra, Castleconnell, Limerick South Rural, Roxborough; and the electoral divisions of Galvone A, Galvone B, Glentworth A, Glentworth B, Glentworth C, Rathbane, Singland B and St. Laurence as specified in the County Borough of Limerick (Wards) Regulations 1970[13] | 7 |
| Limerick City North | Limerick North Rural; and the electoral divisions of Abbey A, Abbey B, Abbey C, Abbey D, Ballynanty, Castle A, Castle B, Castle C, Castle D, Coolraine, Farranshone, Johns A, Johns B, Johns C, Killeely A, Killeely B, Market, and Singland A as specified in the County Borough of Limerick (Wards) Regulations 1970 | 7 | |
| Limerick City West | Ballycummin, Carrig, Clarina, Patrickswell; and the electoral divisions of Ballinacurra A, Ballinacurra B, Custom House, Dock A, Dock B, Dock C, Dock D, Prospect A, Prospect B, Shannon A and Shannon B as specified in the County Borough of Limerick (Wards) Regulations 1970 | 7 | |
| Adare–Rathkeale | Abbeyville, Adare North, Adare South, Askeaton East, Askeaton West, Aughinish, Ballingarry, Ballyallinan, Ballybricken, Ballygrennan, Ballynabanoge, Ballynacarriga, Castletown (in the former Rural District of Rathkeale), Coolrus, Craggs, Crecora, Croagh, Croom, Dromard, Dunmoylan East, Dunmoylan West, Dunnaman, Fedamore, Fleanmore, Garrane, Iveruss, Kilcornan, Kildimo, Kilfinny, Kilpeacon, Kilscannell, Lismakeery, Loghill, Mohernagh, Nantinan, Pallaskenry, Rathkeale Rural, Rathkeale Urban, Rathmore, Riddlestown, Shanagolden and Shanid | 6 | |
| Cappamore–Kilmallock | Abington, Anglesborough, Ardpatrick, Athlacca, Ballylanders, Ballymacshaneboy, Bilboa, Bruff, Bruree, Bulgaden, Caherconlish East, Caherconlish West, Cahercorney, Caherelly, Cappamore, Clonkeen, Colmanswell, Crean, Cullane, Darragh, Doon South, Doon West, Dromin, Duntryleague, Emlygrennan, Galbally, Glenbrohane, Glenstal, Grange, Grean, Griston, Hospital, Kilbeheny, Kilfinnane, Kilflyn, Kilglass, Kilmallock, Kilmurry, Kilteely, Knockainy, Knocklong, Knocknascrow, Oola, Particles, Riversdale, Rockhill, Templebredon, Tobernea and Uregare | 7 | |
| Newcastle West | Abbeyfeale, Ardagh, Ballintober, Ballyagran, Ballynoe, Ballynoe West, Boola, Broadford, Caher, Castletown (in the former Rural District of Croom), Cleanglass, Cloncagh, Danganbeg, Dromcolliher, Dromtrasna, Feenagh, Garryduff, Glenagower, Glengort, Glensharrold, Glin, Kilfergus, Kilmeedy, Kilmoylan, Knockaderry, Mahoonagh, Monagay, Mountcollins, Mountplummer, Newcastle Rural, Newcastle Urban, Port, Rathronan, Rooskagh and Templeglentan | 6 | |
Councillors
editThe following were elected at the 2024 Limerick City and County Council election.
2024 seats summary
edit| Party | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Gael | 13 | |
| Fianna Fáil | 10 | |
| Labour | 3 | |
| Sinn Féin | 3 | |
| Independent Ireland | 2 | |
| Social Democrats | 2 | |
| Aontú | 1 | |
| Green | 1 | |
| Independent | 5 | |
Councillors by electoral area
editThis list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.[14]
| Council members from 2024 election | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Local electoral area | Name | Party | |
| Adare–Rathkeale | Stephen Keary | Fine Gael | |
| Adam Teskey | Fine Gael | ||
| Bridie Collins | Fianna Fáil | ||
| John O'Donoghue | Independent Ireland | ||
| Tommy Hartigan | Independent Ireland | ||
| Gerald Ward | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Cappamore–Kilmallock | Brigid Teefy | Independent | |
| Martin Ryan | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Eddie Ryan | Independent | ||
| Noreen Stokes | Fine Gael | ||
| Gregory Conway | Fine Gael | ||
| P. J. Carey | Sinn Féin | ||
| Tommy O'Sullivan | Fine Gael | ||
| Limerick City East | Catherine Slattery | Fianna Fáil | |
| Peter Doyle | Fine Gael | ||
| Joe Pond | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Elena Secas | Labour | ||
| Sarah Kiely | Fine Gael | ||
| Seán Hartigan | Green | ||
| Ursula Gavan | Sinn Féin | ||
| Limerick City North | Frankie Daly | Independent | |
| Conor Sheehan | Labour | ||
| Kieran O'Hanlon | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Olivia O'Sullivan | Fine Gael | ||
| Sarah Beasley | Aontú | ||
| Sharon Benson | Sinn Féin | ||
| Shane Hickey-O'Mara | Social Democrats | ||
| Limerick City West | Daniel Butler | Fine Gael | |
| Dan McSweeney | Fine Gael | ||
| Joe Leddin | Labour | ||
| Abul Kalam Azad Talukder | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Fergus Kilcoyne | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Maria Donoghue | Independent | ||
| Elisa O'Donovan | Social Democrats | ||
| Newcastle West | Jerome Scanlan | Fine Gael | |
| Liam Galvin | Fine Gael | ||
| Michael Collins | Fianna Fáil | ||
| John Sheahan | Fine Gael | ||
| Tom Ruddle | Fine Gael | ||
| Francis Foley | Fianna Fáil | ||
References
edit- ^ "Local authorities". Citizens Information Board. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
- ^ Local Government Act 2019 (No. 1 of 2019). Enacted on 25 January 2019. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 23 March 2019.
- ^ "Result of the Direct Election of Mayor Plebiscite for Limerick City and County". Limerick City and County Council. 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ "Plans for a directly elected mayor with executive functions for Limerick City and County". Government of Ireland. 26 January 2021. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ "Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023". Oireachtas. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ "Minister O'Donnell Welcomes Publication of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill" (Press release). Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 3 August 2023.
- ^ English, Bernie (6 March 2024). "President signs Mayor of Limerick bill into law". Limerick Post. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Director general". IrishStatuteBook.ie. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "Príomh Chomhairleoir". IrishStatuteBook.ie. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014, Article 5 and Schedule 3 (S.I. No. 573 of 2014). Signed on 16 December 2014. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 23 April 2023.
- ^ City and County of Limerick Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 624 of 2018). Signed on 19 December 2018. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 5 September 2020.
- ^ Local Government Reform Act 2014, s. 19: Municipal districts (No. 1 of 2014, s. 19). Enacted on 27 January 2014. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 5 September 2020.
- ^ County Borough of Limerick (Wards) Regulations 1970 (S.I. No. 279 of 1970). Signed on 25 November 1970. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 5 September 2020.
- ^ "Limerick City and County Council – Elected Candidates". RTÉ News. Retrieved 21 June 2024.