LOCAL GOVERNMENT (MAYOR OF LIMERICK) AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS ACT 2024

An Act to provide for the establishment of an office of mayor for the administrative area of Limerick City and County Council and the election of a person to that office; to provide for the conferral of certain functions on the said mayor; to provide for ancillary structural changes in connection with the governance of that administrative area by Limerick City and County Council; to provide for the holding of plebiscites on the question of providing for the creation of offices of mayors for the administrative areas in relation to which such plebiscites are held and the election by the electors of those administrative areas of persons to such offices; for those purposes to amend the Electoral Act 1992, the Electoral Act 1997, the Litter Pollution Act 1997, the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004, the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2006 and the Electoral Reform Act 2022, to apply with modifications and amend the Local Government Act 2001, and to repeal Part 6 of the Local Government Act 2019; to extend the circumstances within which a person may apply for an affordable dwelling purchase arrangement under the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and for that purpose to amend that Act; to provide for consultation with the Public Appointments Service prior to a declaration under the Local Government Act 2001 in relation to qualifications in respect of certain posts in the local government sector and for that purpose to further amend that Act; to increase the borrowing limit of the Housing Finance Agency and for that purpose to amend the Housing Finance Agency Act 1981; to extend the power of the Minister for Finance to direct the National Treasury Management Agency to pay money to the Land Development Agency in certain circumstances and for that purpose to amend the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014; to provide for the raising of certain funds by the Land Development Agency and for that purpose to amend the Land Development Agency Act 2021; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

[6th March, 2024]

Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows:

PART 1 Preliminary and General

1. Short title, collective citation and commencement

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024.

• (2)
• (a) This Act, other than Part 5 and sections 65, 66, 67 and 69, and the Local Government Acts 1925 to 2023 may be cited together as the Local Government Acts 1925 to 2024.

• (b) Section 65 and the Housing Acts 1966 to 2021 may be cited together as the Housing Acts 1966 to 2024.

• (c) Section 66 and the Housing Finance Agency Acts 1981 to 2007 may be cited together as the Housing Finance Agency Acts 1981 to 2024, and shall be read together as one.

• (d) Section 67 and the National Treasury Management Agency Acts 1990 to 2022 may be cited together as the National Treasury Management Agency Acts 1990 to 2024, and shall be construed together as one.

• (3) This Act, other than sections 66, 67 and 69, shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or provisions.

2. Interpretation

2. (1) In this Act—

“Act of 1992” means the Electoral Act 1992;

“Act of 2000” means the Planning and Development Act 2000;

“Act of 2022” means the Electoral Reform Act 2022;

F1[“Act of 2024” means the Planning and Development Act 2024;]

“administrative area” has the same meaning as it has in the Principal Act;

“Cathaoirleach” has the same meaning as it has in the Principal Act;

“chief executive”, other than in section 20, subsection (2) of section 33, subsection (2) of section 34, and Part 6, means the chief executive of Limerick City and County Council who holds employment in accordance with section 144 of the Principal Act;

“Commission” means An Coimisiún Toghcháin;

“consultative forum” has the meaning assigned to it by section 30;

“director general” has the meaning assigned to it by section 26;

“elected council”, other than in Part 6, means the elected council (within the meaning of the Principal Act) of Limerick City and County Council;

“enactment” has the same meaning as it has in the Interpretation Act 2005;

“establishment day” shall be construed in accordance with section 8;

“Leas-Chathaoirleach” has the same meaning as it has in the Principal Act;

“Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir” shall be construed in accordance with section 24;

“Limerick” shall be construed in accordance with subsection (2) of section 10 of, and Part 3 of Schedule 5 to, the Principal Act;

“Limerick City and County Council” shall be construed in accordance with subsection (3) of section 11 of, and Part 3 of Schedule 5 to, the Principal Act;

“local authority” has the same meaning as it has in the Principal Act;

“Local Elections Regulations” means the Local Elections Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 297 of 1995);

“Mayor” has the meaning assigned to it by section 9;

“mayoral by-election” has the meaning assigned to it by section 13;

“meetings administrator” has, in relation to Limerick City and County Council, the same meaning as it has in the Principal Act;

“Minister” means the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage;

“ordinary day of retirement”, in relation to the outgoing members of Limerick City and County Council, has the same meaning as it has in the Principal Act;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulation made by the Minister under this Act;

“Principal Act” means the Local Government Act 2001;

“Príomh Chomhairleoir” shall be construed in accordance with section 22;

“vesting day” means the day on which the term of office of the person first elected as Mayor commences in accordance with subsection (5) of section 9.

• (2) Any public notice required by this Act to be given by a returning officer may be given by any method which the returning officer thinks necessary or desirable for the purpose of bringing to the attention of the public the matter so required to be notified.

3. Orders and regulations

3. (1) The Minister may by regulations provide for any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed or for the purpose of enabling any provision of this Act to have full effect.

• (2) Where a provision of this Act requires or authorises the Minister to make regulations, such regulations may—

• (a) make different provision for different circumstances or cases, classes or types, and

• (b) contain such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the regulations.

• (3) Every order (other than an order under section 1, 8, 47, 48 or 63) and regulation (other than a regulation made under section 49) made by the Minister under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House sits after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

4. Saver

4. (1) Anything commenced, but not completed, before the vesting day by or under the authority of the chief executive or the Cathaoirleach may, in so far as it relates to a function that, on the vesting day, vests in the Mayor under section 10, be carried on or completed on or after that day by the Mayor.

• (2) Every act done, every decision made, every instrument made under an enactment and every document (including any certificate) granted or made, in the performance of a function that, on the vesting day, vests in the Mayor under section 10, shall, if and in so far as it was operative immediately before the vesting day, have effect on and after that day as if it had been done, made or granted by the Mayor.

• (3) Anything commenced, but not completed, before the vesting day by or under the authority of the Cathaoirleach may, in so far as it relates to a function that, on the vesting day, vests in the Príomh Chomhairleoir under section 23, be carried on or completed on or after that day by the Príomh Chomhairleoir.

• (4) Every act done, every decision made, every instrument made under an enactment and every document (including any certificate) granted or made, in the performance of a function that, on the vesting day, vests in the Príomh Chomhairleoir under section 23, shall, if and in so far as it was operative immediately before the vesting day, have effect on and after that day as if it had been done, made or granted by the Príomh Chomhairleoir.

• (5) Anything commenced, but not completed, before the vesting day by or under the authority of the Leas-Chathaoirleach may, in so far as it relates to a function that, on the vesting day, vests in the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir under section 25, be carried on or completed on or after that day by the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir.

• (6) Every act done, every decision made, every instrument made under an enactment and every document (including any certificate) granted or made, in the performance of a function that, on the vesting day, vests in the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir under section 25, shall, if and in so far as it was operative immediately before the vesting day, have effect on and after that day as if it had been done, made or granted by the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir.

5. Application of Principal Act to Limerick

5. The Principal Act shall apply to—

• (a) Limerick, and

• (b) Limerick City and County Council,

subject to the modifications specified in Schedule 3 and any other necessary modifications.

6. Expenses

6. The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

7. Review of Act

7. (1) The Minister shall, not later than 3 years after the establishment day, conduct a review of the operation and effectiveness of this Act and shall, not later than 3 months after the end of that period of 3 years, or on the completion of the review, whichever is the earlier, make a report, in writing, to each House of the Oireachtas of the findings of the review and of the conclusions drawn from those findings.

• (2) In conducting a review under this section, the Minister shall consult with the Mayor, Limerick City and County Council, the consultative forum and such other persons as the Minister considers appropriate for the purpose of the review.

PART 2 Mayor of Limerick

8. Establishment day

8. The Minister shall by order appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act.

9. Mayor of Limerick

9. (1) There shall be a mayor in respect of the administrative area of Limerick City and County Council, who—

• (a) shall be known, in the Irish language, as Méara Luimnigh and, in the English language, as the Mayor of Limerick, and

• (b) is referred to in this Act as “Mayor”.

• (2) The office of Mayor of Limerick shall stand established on the establishment day.

• (3) Subject to section 13, the Mayor shall be elected in accordance with Schedule 2.

• (4) The Mayor shall hold office in accordance with this Act.

• (5) Subject to subsection (6), the person elected to be Mayor (including the person first so elected) shall hold office on a full-time basis for a term commencing on the ordinary day of retirement falling in the year in which he or she is so elected and ending on the next ordinary day of retirement.

• (6) Where a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor in the circumstances referred to in subsection (3) of section 13, the person elected to fill the vacancy so occurring shall hold office for a term commencing on the day immediately following the day on which the returning officer declares under subparagraph (2) of paragraph 29 or paragraph 54 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 the result of the poll at the mayoral by-election and ending on the next ordinary day of retirement.

• (7) Subject to subsection (8), a person who holds or has held the office of Mayor and who (having held such office) has not, by virtue of paragraph (a), (c), (d) or (e) of subsection (1) of section 13, ceased to hold such office shall be eligible for re-election to that office but a person shall not hold the office of Mayor for more than 2 terms referred to in subsection (5), which may be in addition to any term held in accordance with subsection (6).

• (8) The Mayor shall not, while holding office as mayor, engage in any trade, profession, vocation or other occupation, whether remunerated or otherwise, which might reasonably be seen to be capable of interfering or to be incompatible with the performance of his or her functions as Mayor.

10. Functions of Mayor

10. (1) All functions (other than functions conferred by or under an enactment specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1) that, immediately before the vesting day, vested in the Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council shall, on and after that day, vest in the Mayor.

• (2) All functions (other than functions conferred by or under an enactment specified in Part 2 of Schedule 1) that, immediately before the vesting day, vested in the chief executive of Limerick City and County Council shall, on and after that day, vest in the Mayor.

• (3) From the vesting day, a reference in any enactment (other than an enactment specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1) to Cathaoirleach shall, in so far as the reference applies to the Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council, be construed as a reference to the Mayor, or as including a reference to the Mayor, as the context requires.

• (4) From the vesting day, a reference in any enactment (other than an enactment specified in Part 2 of Schedule 1) to chief executive shall, in so far as that reference applies to the chief executive of Limerick City and County Council, be construed as a reference to the Mayor, or as including a reference to the Mayor, as the context requires.

• (5) This section shall apply subject to the modifications of the Principal Act specified in Schedule 3.

10A. F2[Application of certain provisions of Act of 2024 in relation to Limerick City and County Council

10A. (1) A relevant function shall, insofar as it relates to Limerick City and County Council, be deemed to be a function of the director general.

• (2) A function (other than a relevant function) of a chief executive, within the meaning of the Act of 2024, under that Act shall, insofar as it relates to Limerick City and County Council, be deemed to be a function of the Mayor.

• (3) In this section, "relevant function" means a function, under the following provisions of the Act of 2024, of a chief executive (within the meaning of that Act):

• (a) Part 2, 9, 11, 15, 16 and 20;

• (b) Chapter 2 to 5 and 7 of Part 4, Chapter 3 and 4 of Part 6, Chapter 2 of Part 7, Chapter 1, 2 and 4 of Part 8 and Chapter 2 to 4 of Part 12;

• (c) sections 31(4) and (7), 64(4), 79(4), 152, 153(2)(b), 158, 160, 161, 268, 270, 310, 312 to 315, 323, 324, 326, 333, 338, 339, 340, 341, 411, 412, 414, 417, 530(4), 567(4), 570, 574(3) and (4), 577(7), 594 and 623.]

11. Effect of election as Mayor at mayoral by-election on membership of local authority

11. (1) Subject to subsection (1) of section 17, a person who, while being a member of a local authority, is elected in circumstances to which subsection (3) of section 13 applies by way of mayoral by-election to the office of Mayor shall, notwithstanding section 17 of the Principal Act, upon the day immediately following the day on which the returning officer declares under subparagraph (2) of paragraph 29 or paragraph 54 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 the result of the poll at the mayoral by-election concerned, cease to be such a member.

• (2) Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 17 of the Principal Act shall not apply to a person who, at the same time, is elected to the office of Mayor and as a member of a local authority.

12. Resignation of Mayor

12. The Mayor may resign from office by notice in writing signed by him or her and delivered to the principal offices of Limerick City and County Council and the resignation shall take effect on the day specified in the notice or, where no such day is specified, on receipt of such notice by Limerick City and County Council.

13. Vacancies

13. (1) The Mayor ceases to hold office and a vacancy in the office of Mayor occurs—

• (a) upon removal of the Mayor from office in accordance with Part 7,

• (b) upon the death or resignation (in accordance with section 12) of the Mayor,

• (c) upon the Mayor becoming disqualified for membership of a local authority or for holding the office of Mayor of Limerick under section 13, 13A or 182 of the Principal Act,

• (d) upon the Mayor becoming disqualified for membership of a local authority under section 20 of the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999, or

• (e) upon an order under paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 for the forfeiture of the office of the person as a member of the local authority taking effect under subsection (6) of that section.

• (2) It is the duty of the meetings administrator to notify the elected council in writing on becoming aware that a vacancy referred to in subsection (1) has occurred.

• (3) Where a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor—

• (a) in any of the circumstances referred to in subsection (1), and

• (b) not later than the 31st day of October in the year immediately preceding a year in which an election referred to in section 26 of the Principal Act is required to be held,

an election (in this Act referred to as a “mayoral by-election”) shall be held in accordance with Schedule 2 not later than 3 months from the occurrence of that vacancy to fill the vacancy so occurring.

• (4) Where a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor—

• (a) in any of the circumstances referred to in subsection (1), and

• (b) during the period commencing on the 1st day of November in the year immediately preceding a year in which an election referred to in section 26 of the Principal Act is required to be held and ending on the next ordinary day of retirement,

the functions of Mayor shall be performable by the Príomh Chomhairleoir during the period commencing on the day on which the vacancy occurs and ending on the next ordinary day of retirement.

• (5) Where a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor in circumstances to which subsection (3) applies, the functions of Mayor shall be performable by the Príomh Chomhairleoir during the period commencing on the day on which the vacancy occurs and ending on the day on which the returning officer declares under subparagraph (2) of paragraph 29 or paragraph 54 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 the result of the poll at the mayoral by-election held consequent upon the occurrence of that vacancy.

• (6) Where the functions of Mayor are performable by the Príomh Chomhairleoir in accordance with subsection (4) or (5), the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir shall assume the responsibilities of the office of Príomh Chomhairleoir for the duration of the period during which they are so performable.

• (7) Sections 16, 18, 19 and 19A of the Principal Act shall not apply in respect of the office of Mayor.

• (8) Where a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor in any of the circumstances referred to in subsection (1) and the Mayor is, when the vacancy occurs, absent in any of the circumstances referred to in subsection (1) of section 14, this section shall apply to the vacancy so occurring notwithstanding such absence.

14. Temporary absence

14. (1) A temporary absence occurs in the office of Mayor where the Mayor is absent from office and the absence is—

• (a) occasioned by the Mayor taking leave in accordance with the Maternity Protection Act 1994,

• (b) due to illness, or

• (c) in good faith for another reason.

• (2) It is the duty of the meetings administrator to notify the elected council in writing on becoming aware that a temporary absence referred to in subsection (1) has occurred.

• (3) Where a temporary absence occurs in the office of Mayor, the functions of Mayor shall, subject to section 13, be performable by the Príomh Chomhairleoir during the period commencing on the occurrence of the vacancy and ending on the earlier of—

• (a) the day immediately preceding the day on which the Mayor returns to office, or

• (b) the day immediately preceding the next ordinary day of retirement.

• (4) Where the functions of Mayor are performable by the Príomh Chomhairleoir in accordance with this section, the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir shall assume the responsibilities of the office of Príomh Chomhairleoir for the duration of the period during which they are so performable.

• (5) The Mayor shall not, during the period referred to in subsection (4), perform any functions as Mayor or any functions performable by him or her as a member of the elected council unless and until he or she returns to the office of Mayor.

15. Remuneration

15. (1) Limerick City and County Council shall pay to the Mayor such remuneration as it may, from time to time, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, determine.

• (2) A determination under subsection (1) may make provision for the amount of remuneration of the Mayor to be calculated in such manner, or by means of the application of such formula, as may be specified in the determination.

• (3) Limerick City and County Council may pay to the Mayor each year an allowance in respect of expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the performance of his or her functions during that year.

• (4) Section 142 of the Principal Act shall not apply to the Mayor.

16. Funding for performance of functions of Mayor

16. In each financial year, the Minister shall advance to the Mayor out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas such amount or amounts as the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, determine for the purposes of expenditure by the Mayor in the performance of his or her functions under this Act.

17. Membership of council

17. (1) The Mayor shall be, ex officio, a member of Limerick City and County Council.

• (2) Subject to subsection (5) and without prejudice to section 44 and Schedule 10 (as modified by this Act) of the Principal Act, the Mayor shall be entitled to—

• (a) attend, speak and participate in discussions at meetings of Limerick City and County Council, and

• (b) exercise a vote in relation to any motion, matter or question that comes before the elected council.

• (3) The Mayor shall be entitled to attend, speak and participate in discussions at meetings of the municipal district members (within the meaning of section 22B of the Principal Act) of Limerick City and County Council but shall not be entitled to exercise a vote in relation to any motion, matter or question that comes before the municipal district members at any such meeting.

• (4) A member of the elected council attending a meeting of Limerick City and County Council may ask questions of the Mayor in relation to the performance by him or her of his or her functions and the Mayor shall answer such questions.

• (5) The Mayor shall not have a vote in relation to a motion or resolution under Part 7 or under section 132, 138, 139 or 140 of the Principal Act (as modified by this Act).

• (6) Removal of the members of Limerick City and County Council by the Minister in accordance with section 216 of the Principal Act shall not operate to—

• (a) remove the person who for the time being holds the office of Mayor from that office, or

• (b) prevent the Mayor from performing the functions (other than the functions performable by him or her as a member of the elected council) conferred on him or her by this Act.

18. Staff of Mayor

18. The director general, after consultation with the Mayor, shall assign not more than 4 or, for any period during which no special adviser stands appointed under section 19, not more than 5 employees of Limerick City and County Council to assist the Mayor in the performance of his or her functions.

19. Special adviser to Mayor

19. (1) The Mayor may appoint a person who, in the opinion of the Mayor, has experience and expertise in relation to matters to which the functions of special adviser under this section relate, to be a special adviser to the Mayor.

• (2) The Mayor shall, as soon as may be after appointing a person to be a special adviser under this section, prepare and submit to the elected council a document describing the experience and expertise referred to in subsection (1) of that person.

• (3) A special adviser appointed under this section shall assist the Mayor by—

• (a) providing him or her with advice, and

• (b) providing such assistance in relation to the functions of the Mayor as the Mayor may direct.

• (4) A special adviser appointed under this section shall, in the performance of his or her functions, be accountable to the Mayor.

• (5) The terms and conditions of employment of a special adviser appointed under this section shall be determined from time to time by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

• (6) Subject to subsection (8), a special adviser appointed under this section shall, while he or she stands so appointed, be deemed to be an employee of Limerick City and County Council.

• (7) The term of appointment of a special adviser shall cease on the date on which the Mayor ceases to hold that office or such earlier date as may be determined by the Mayor in accordance with the terms and conditions referred to in subsection (5).

• (8) Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 158 of the Principal Act shall not apply to a special adviser appointed under this section.

20. Amendments to Principal Act relating to office of Mayor

20. The Principal Act is amended—

• (a) in section 13—

• (i) by the insertion, after subsection (1), of the following subsections:

• “(1A) Subject to subsection (2), a person to whom subsection (1) applies, other than a person referred to in paragraph (b) or (e) of that subsection, is disqualified from being elected to the office of Mayor of Limerick.

• (1B) Subject to subsection (2), a person to whom subsection (1) applies is disqualified from holding the office of Mayor of Limerick.”,

and

• (ii) in subsection (2)—

• (I) by the substitution, in paragraph (a), of “subsection (1), (1A) or (1B) in respect of a person to whom subsection (1)(k) applies” for “subsection (1)(k)”,

• (II) by the substitution, in paragraph (b), of “subsection (1), (1A) or (1B) in respect of a person to whom subsection (1)(l) applies” for “subsection (1)(l)”, and

• (III) by the substitution, in paragraph (c), of “subsection (1), (1A) or (1B) in respect of a person to whom subsection (1)(m) applies” for “subsection (1)(m)”,

• (b) in section 13A, by the insertion, after subsection (1), of the following subsection:

• “(1A) A person to whom subsection (1) applies is not disqualified from being elected to the office of Mayor of Limerick, but is disqualified from holding that office.”,

• (c) in section 19—

• (i) by the insertion, in subsection (1), of the following paragraphs after paragraph (a):

• “(aa) upon the cessation of membership of a member of a local authority under subsection (1) of section 11 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024,

• (ab) in the case of a person who, at the same time, is elected to the office of Mayor of Limerick and as a member of a local authority, on the ordinary day of retirement next following the election concerned,”,

and

• (ii) by the substitution, in subsection (3), of “a person (other than the Mayor of Limerick)” for “a person” in each place where it occurs,

• (d) in section 19A, by the substitution, in subsection (3), of “a person (other than the Mayor of Limerick)” for “a person” in each place where it occurs,

• (e) in section 182—

• (i) in subsection (1)(a), by the insertion of “and from being elected to or holding the office of Mayor of Limerick” after “local authority”, and

• (ii) in subsection (2)—

• (I) by the insertion of “or acts as Mayor of Limerick while disqualified from holding that office by virtue of this section,” after “this section,”, and

• (II) by the insertion of “or of the Mayor of Limerick, as the case may be” after “concerned”,

and

• (f) in Schedule 7, by the substitution, in Part 3, of “41 (including the Mayor of Limerick)” for “40”.

PART 3 Other Structural Changes

21. Abolition of office of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach of council

21. On the vesting day, the offices of Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council and Leas-Chathaoirleach of that council shall stand abolished.

22. Príomh Chomhairleoir

22. (1) Limerick City and County Council shall have a chairperson who shall, subject to subsection (2), be elected and hold office in accordance with Part 5 of the Principal Act and who shall be known as the Príomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council and is, in this Act, referred to as the “Príomh Chomhairleoir”.

• (2) The person who, immediately before the vesting day, was the Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council, shall be the Príomh Chomhairleoir on and after that day until—

• (a) a successor is elected at the next annual meeting of that council, or

• (b) he or she dies, resigns, becomes disqualified for the office of Príomh Chomhairleoir, is removed from the office of Príomh Chomhairleoir or otherwise ceases to be Príomh Chomhairleoir,

whichever occurs sooner.

23. Functions of Príomh Chomhairleoir

23. (1) All functions conferred by or under an enactment specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1 that, immediately before the vesting day, vested in the Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council shall, on and after that day, vest in the Príomh Chomhairleoir.

• (2) From the vesting day, a reference in an enactment specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to Cathaoirleach or Cathaoirligh shall, in so far as that reference applies to the Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council, be construed as a reference to the Príomh Chomhairleoir, or as including a reference to the Príomh Chomhairleoir, as the context may require.

• (3) This section shall apply subject to the modifications of the Principal Act specified in Schedule 3.

24. Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir

24. (1) Limerick City and County Council shall have a vice-chairperson who shall, subject to subsection (2), be elected and hold office in accordance with Part 5 of the Principal Act and who shall be known as the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council and is, in this Act, referred to as the “Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir”.

• (2) The person who, immediately before the vesting day, was the Leas-Chathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council, shall be the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir on and after that day until—

• (a) a successor is elected at the next annual meeting of that council, or

• (b) he or she dies, resigns, becomes disqualified for the office of Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir, is removed from the office of Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir or otherwise ceases to be Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir,

whichever occurs sooner.

25. Functions of Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir

25. (1) All functions conferred by or under any enactment that, immediately before the vesting day, vested in the Leas-Chathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council shall, on and after that day, vest in the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir.

• (2) From the vesting day, a reference in any enactment to Leas-Chathaoirleach shall, in so far as that reference applies to the Leas-Chathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council, be construed as a reference to the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir, or as including a reference to the Leas-Phríomh Chomhairleoir, as the context may require.

• (3) This section shall apply subject to the modifications of the Principal Act specified in Schedule 3.

26. Director general

26. (1) The chief executive of Limerick City and County Council shall, on and after the vesting day, be known as the director general of Limerick City and County Council and is in this Act referred to as the “director general”.

• (2) The person who, immediately before the vesting day, was the chief executive of Limerick City and County Council shall, on and after that day, continue in office and be referred to in accordance with subsection (1).

• (3) On and after the vesting day, a reference in an enactment specified in Part 2 of Schedule 1 to chief executive shall, in so far as that reference applies to the chief executive of Limerick City and County Council, be construed as a reference to the director general, or as including a reference to the director general, as the context may require.

• (4) This section shall apply subject to the modifications of the Principal Act specified in Schedule 3.

27. Delegation of functions of Mayor to director general

27. (1) The Mayor may by instrument in writing delegate any of his or her functions, other than functions vested in him or her by virtue of subsection (1) of section 10 or functions performable by him or her as a member of the elected council, to the director general.

• (2) The director general shall perform the functions delegated to him or her under this section and shall be accountable to the Mayor for the performance of those functions.

• (3) A function delegated under this section shall be performable by the director general subject to the general superintendence and control of the Mayor and subject to any conditions or restrictions stated in the instrument under subsection (1).

• (4) A function delegated under this section shall, notwithstanding the delegation, continue to vest in the Mayor but shall so vest concurrently with the director general so as to be performable by either the Mayor or the director general.

• (5) The Mayor may by instrument in writing revoke a delegation under this section.

• (6) Notification of a delegation under this section or of its subsequent revocation shall be given to the members of Limerick City and County Council as soon as may be after the delegation or revocation of delegation concerned.

28. Deputy director general

28. (1) On and after the vesting day, a deputy chief executive appointed by the director general under section 148 of the Principal Act shall be known as the deputy director general of Limerick City and County Council and is, in this Act, referred to as the “deputy director general”.

• (2) The person who, immediately before the vesting day, was the deputy chief executive of Limerick City and County Council shall, on and after that day, continue in office and be referred to in accordance with subsection (1).

• (3) On and after the vesting day, a reference in any enactment to deputy chief executive shall, in so far as the reference applies to the deputy chief executive of Limerick City and County Council, be construed as a reference to the deputy director general, or as including a reference to the deputy director general, as the context may require.

• (4) This section shall apply subject to the modifications of the Principal Act specified in Schedule 3.

PART 4 Additional Functions of Mayor and Mayoral Office Structures

29. Definitions (Part 4)

29. (1) In this Part—

“Act of 2015” means the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015;

“delivery board” has the meaning assigned to it by section 33;

F3["Limerick City and County Development Plan" means a development plan relating to Limerick for the time being in force—

• (a) made under Chapter 5 of Part 3 of the Act of 2024,

• (b) continued in force by virtue of section 68 of the Act of 2024, or

• (c) prepared, or varied, in accordance with section 69 of the Act of 2024;]

“Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area strategic plan” means the part of the regional spatial and economic strategy for the Southern Region relating to the area referred to in that strategy as the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area;

“Mayoral programme” has the meaning assigned to it by section 31;

“National Development Plan” means the National Development Plan 2021-2030 published by the Government on 4 October 2021 or any document published by the Government which amends or replaces that plan;

“National Planning Framework” has the same meaning as it has in the F4[Act of 2024];

“ordinary meeting” has the meaning assigned to it in paragraph 1 of Schedule 10 to the Principal Act;

“public body” means—

• (a) a Minister of the Government,

• (b) a local authority,

• (c) a body (other than a company) established by or under an enactment, or

• (d) a company established pursuant to a power conferred by or under an enactment, and financed wholly or partly by—

• (i) moneys provided, or loans made or guaranteed, by a Minister of the Government, or

• (ii) the issue of shares held by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government;

“regional spatial and economic strategy” means a regional spatial and economic strategy made under F4[Chapter 4 of Part 3 of the Act of 2024];

“transport sub-group” has the meaning assigned to it by section 34.

30. Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum

30. (1) There shall stand established on the vesting day a forum to be known as the Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum (in this Act referred to as the “consultative forum”) to advise the Minister in relation to any matter that affects, or is likely to affect, Limerick or the performance of the functions of the Mayor.

• (2) The consultative forum shall consist of—

• (a) the Minister, who shall be the chairperson of the consultative forum,

• (b) each Minister of the Government (other than the Minister), and

• (c) the Mayor.

• (3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the consultative forum may advise and make recommendations to the Minister in relation to—

• (a) issues arising from the establishment of the office of Mayor or the operation of this Act,

• (b) the conferral of such additional functions on the Mayor as the consultative forum considers necessary for the effective operation of the office of Mayor,

• (c) the funding of Limerick City and County Council for the purpose of the matters referred to in this subsection,

• (d) any Bill before either House of the Oireachtas that, if enacted, would be likely to affect Limerick or the performance by Limerick City and County Council of its functions,

• (e) any policy under consideration by the Minister or the Government relating to Limerick or Limerick City and County Council, or

• (f) any other matter relating to Limerick or Limerick City and County Council.

• (4) Limerick City and County Council may make submissions and representations to the consultative forum in relation to any enactment or policy of the Minister or the Government as it considers appropriate.

• (5) The Minister shall arrange for the provision of such secretarial and administrative support services as are required by the consultative forum to perform its functions.

• (6) The Minister may arrange for the provision to the consultative forum of such—

• (a) technical advice and assistance, or

• (b) research facilities,

as he or she considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of the functions of the consultative forum.

• (7) The Minister shall fix the date, time and place of the first meeting of the consultative forum and such date shall be no later than 6 months after the vesting day.

• (8) The consultative forum shall meet—

• (a) subject to paragraph (b), twice in each year at intervals of not less than 5, and not more than 7, months, and

• (b) at such other times as may be necessary for the due performance of its functions as agreed between the persons referred to in subsection (2).

• (9) Subject to this section, the consultative forum may regulate its procedure and business.

31. Mayoral programme

31. (1) The Mayor shall, within the period of 4 months from the commencement of his or her term of office, prepare and publish a programme (to be known, and in this Part referred to, as the “Mayoral programme”) setting out the key objectives and priorities for his or her term of office.

• (2) The Mayor shall, in preparing the Mayoral programme, take account of the statutory obligations of Limerick City and County Council and any relevant policies or objectives for the time being of the Government or any Minister of the Government.

• (3) The Mayor shall present a draft of the Mayoral programme for consideration by the elected council at an ordinary meeting held before the expiration of the period referred to in subsection (1).

• (4) Not less than 14 days before the day on which the ordinary meeting referred to in subsection (3) is to be held, the meetings administrator shall send a copy of the draft of the Mayoral programme to every member of the elected council.

• (5) The Mayor shall, before finalising the Mayoral programme, consider any comments or observations made at the meeting referred to in subsection (3) by members of the elected council in relation to the draft of the Mayoral programme.

• (6) As soon as practicable after the meeting referred to in subsection (3), and in any event within the period referred to in subsection (1), the Mayor shall finalise the Mayoral programme and a copy of it shall be—

• (a) provided to the elected council and the director general,

• (b) published on the website of Limerick City and County Council,

• (c) made available at the principal offices of Limerick City and County Council, where it may be inspected by any member of the public during normal opening hours and purchased at a price not exceeding the reasonable cost of reproduction, and

• (d) furnished to the Minister.

32. Limerick Mayoral Advisory and Implementation Committee

32. (1) The Mayor shall, not later than 2 months from the commencement of his or her term of office and, in the case of the dissolution of a committee under subsection (9), not later than 2 months after that dissolution, establish a committee to be known as the “Limerick Mayoral Advisory and Implementation Committee” to perform the functions conferred on it by or under this Act.

• (2) A committee established under this section shall consist of—

• (a) the Mayor, who shall be the chairperson of the committee,

• (b) such members of Limerick City and County Council appointed by the Mayor as the Mayor considers appropriate, and

• (c) such other persons—

• (i) nominated by nominating bodies in accordance with subsection (4), and

• (ii) appointed by the Mayor,

as the Mayor considers appropriate.

• (3) A committee established under this section shall consist of such number of persons as the Mayor considers appropriate.

• (4) The Mayor may request a body whose functions or activities affect or may affect Limerick or the performance by Limerick City and County Council of its functions (in this section referred to as a “nominating body”) to nominate a person to be a member of the committee.

• (5) The functions of a committee established under this section shall be—

• (a) to assist the Mayor in the preparation of the Mayoral programme,

• (b) to support the Mayor in advancing the Mayoral programme,

• (c) to promote, foster and support economic, touristic, social and cultural activities in Limerick, in particular the rural areas thereof,

• (d) to promote, foster and support conservation and restoration of nature, protection and enhancement of biodiversity, and sustainable development in Limerick,

• (e) the coordination in Limerick of initiatives, services and funding giving effect to Government policy to support rural areas,

• (f) the coordination in Limerick of measures giving effect to Government policy concerning the regeneration of towns,

• (g) the coordination of other regeneration projects in Limerick,

• (h) the discussion and consideration of initiatives to sustain employment in Limerick, in particular the rural areas thereof,

• (i) the discussion and consideration of measures to enhance cooperation between nominating bodies, and

• (j) the consideration of any matter that may affect Limerick or Limerick City and County Council.

• (6) A committee established under this section may establish such subcommittees as it considers appropriate to examine such matters as the committee may direct and to report to the committee in relation to those matters.

• (7) A subcommittee established under subsection (6) shall consist of—

• (a) at least one member of the committee for the time being established under this section,

• (b) such number of the members of Limerick City and County Council as the Mayor considers appropriate, one of whom, subject to subsection (8), shall be appointed by the Mayor to be the chairperson of the subcommittee,

• (c) an employee for the time being holding or exercising the functions of the post of director of services of Limerick City and County Council, and

• (d) such other persons—

• (i) nominated by such of the nominating bodies as the chairperson of the subcommittee may decide, and

• (ii) appointed by the chairperson of the subcommittee.

• (8) Where the Mayor is a member of a subcommittee established under subsection (6), he or she shall be the chairperson of the subcommittee.

• (9) The Mayor may at any time dissolve a committee or subcommittee established under this section.

• (10) A committee or subcommittee established under this section may act notwithstanding a vacancy or more than one vacancy among its members.

• (11) A member of a committee or subcommittee established under this section may be removed from the committee or subcommittee, as the case may be, at any time by the Mayor.

• (12) The Mayor may regulate the procedure (including procedures regarding attendance at meetings) of a committee or subcommittee established under this section.

• (13) Subject to subsection (9), a committee or subcommittee established under this section shall stand dissolved on the day immediately preceding the next ordinary day of retirement or, in a case where a mayoral by-election is held in accordance with subsection (3) of section 13, on the day on which the returning officer declares under subparagraph (2) of paragraph 29 or paragraph 54 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 the result of the poll at the mayoral by-election.

33. Limerick Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board

33. (1) On the commencement of this section there shall stand established a committee to be known as the Limerick Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board (in this Part referred to as the “delivery board”) to perform the functions conferred on it by or under this Act.

• (2) Each of the following shall be, ex officio, a member of the delivery board:

• (a) the Mayor, who shall be the chairperson of the delivery board;

• (b) the director general;

• (c) the chief executive of Clare County Council;

• (d) the director of the Southern Regional Assembly.

• (3) The Mayor may, if he or she considers it appropriate, appoint such additional persons to be members of the delivery board as may be nominated for that purpose at the invitation of the Mayor by a public body performing functions in relation to the spatial planning and sustainable development of Limerick.

• (4) The Mayor shall, after consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, appoint a person who has knowledge of, or expertise in, matters relating to climate and at least one of the areas referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (x) of section 9(4)(a) of the Act of 2015 to be a member of the delivery board.

• (5) The functions of the delivery board shall be—

• (a) to support, having regard to the respective statutory functions of the members of the delivery board (or, in the case of members nominated under subsection (3), the statutory functions of the public bodies that nominated them), the implementation in Limerick of the objectives of the National Planning Framework, the National Development Plan, the Limerick City and County Development Plan and the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area strategic plan and to collaborate with public bodies referred to in subsection (3) for that purpose, including such bodies involved in—

• (i) the provision of infrastructure (including infrastructure relating to climate change mitigation, water services and transport), large-scale housing and amenities,

• (ii) the arrangement, co-ordination and provision of social and economic regeneration measures including the development and improvement of land and infrastructure,

• (iii) rural, social and cultural development, or

• (iv) the promotion of employment, enterprise and tourism,

• (b) to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the Limerick City and County Development Plan and the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area strategic plan and to prepare such reports as it considers necessary in relation to the implementation of those plans,

• (c) to support the implementation, in accordance with guidelines issued under section 14B(8) of the Act of 2015, of any local authority climate action plan (within the meaning of that section) prepared by Limerick City and County Council, and

• (d) to co-ordinate initiatives, supports and funding in Limerick giving effect to Government policy concerning support of rural areas and regeneration of rural towns.

• (6) The Mayor shall send a copy of any report prepared by the delivery board to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

• (7) Subject to subsection (8), the delivery board shall hold such and so many meetings as may be necessary for the due fulfilment of its functions.

• (8) The delivery board shall, in each year, hold not less than one meeting with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

• (9) The delivery board may establish such subcommittees as it considers appropriate to examine such matters as the delivery board may direct and to report to the delivery board in relation to those matters.

• (10) Where the Mayor is a member of a subcommittee established under subsection (9), he or she shall be the chairperson of the subcommittee or shall nominate a member of the delivery board to be the chairperson.

• (11) A subcommittee established under subsection (9) shall consist of—

• (a) at least one member of the delivery board, and

• (b) such other persons as the Mayor may determine.

• (12) The Mayor may at any time dissolve a subcommittee established under subsection (9).

• (13) The delivery board or any subcommittee established under subsection (9) may act notwithstanding a vacancy or more than one vacancy among its members.

• (14) A member of the delivery board or a subcommittee established under subsection (9) may be removed from the delivery board or subcommittee, as the case may be, at any time by the Mayor.

• (15) Subject to this section, the delivery board may regulate its procedure or the procedure of a subcommittee established under subsection (9).

34. Limerick Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board Transport Sub-Group

34. (1) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (9) of section 33, the delivery board shall, within 3 months of its establishment, establish a subcommittee which shall be known as the Limerick Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board Transport Sub-Group (in this section referred to as the “transport sub-group”) to perform the functions conferred on it by this section.

• (2) Each of the following shall be, ex officio, a member of the transport sub-group:

• (a) the Mayor, who shall be the chairperson of the transport sub-group;

• (b) the director general;

• (c) the chief executive of Clare County Council;

• (d) the director of the Southern Regional Assembly.

• (3) The Mayor may appoint such additional persons to be members of the transport sub group nominated at the invitation of the Mayor by public bodies performing functions or carrying out activities relating to the provision of transport infrastructure and services in Limerick.

• (4) The Mayor shall, after consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, appoint a person who has knowledge of, or expertise in, matters relating to climate and transport policy to be a member of the transport sub-group.

• (5) The functions of the transport sub-group shall be—

• (a) to collaborate with public bodies referred to in subsection (3) to support, having regard to the respective statutory functions of the members of the transport sub group (or, in the case of members nominated under subsection (3), the statutory functions of the public bodies that nominated them), the implementation of the National Planning Framework, the National Development Plan, the Limerick City and County Development Plan and the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area strategic plan in relation to the provision of transport infrastructure and services in Limerick,

• (b) to support the implementation, in accordance with guidelines issued under section 14B(8) of the Act of 2015, of any local authority climate action plan (within the meaning of that section) prepared by Limerick City and County Council, and

• (c) to prepare such reports as it considers necessary in relation to its functions under paragraph (a).

• (6) The Mayor shall send a copy of any report prepared under subsection (5) to the Minister for Transport, as soon as practicable after the report is prepared.

• (7) Subject to subsection (8), the transport sub-group shall hold such and so many meetings as may be necessary for the due fulfilment of its functions.

• (8) The transport sub-group shall, in each year, hold not less than one meeting with the Minister for Transport.

• (9) Subsections (12) to (15) of section 33 shall apply to the transport sub-group as those subsections apply to a subcommittee established under subsection (9) of section 33.

35. Consultation with Mayor

35. (1) The Mayor may request, in writing, a Minister of the Government to—

• (a) provide specified information to the Mayor, or

• (b) consult with the Mayor,

in relation to any policy of that Minister or any enactment under which that Minister performs functions that, in the opinion of the Mayor, is having, or is likely to have, an impact on Limerick or Limerick City and County Council.

• (2) Subject to any enactment or rule of law prohibiting or restricting the disclosure of any class of information, the Minister concerned shall, upon a request under subsection (1)—

• (a) provide such information as he or she considers appropriate to the Mayor, or

• (b) consult with the Mayor,

in relation to any policy or enactment referred to in the request.

• (3) The Mayor may request, in writing, a public body to—

• (a) provide specified information to the Mayor, or

• (b) consult with the Mayor,

in relation to any policy of that public body or any enactment under which that public body performs functions that, in the opinion of the Mayor, is having, or is likely to have, an impact on Limerick or Limerick City and County Council.

• (4) Subject to any enactment or rule of law prohibiting or restricting the disclosure of any class of information, a public body shall, upon a request under subsection (3)—

• (a) provide such information as it considers appropriate to the Mayor, or

• (b) consult with the Mayor,

in relation to any policy or enactment referred to in the request.

PART 5 Amendment of Certain Enactments in Connection with Election of Mayor

36. Amendment of Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937

36. The Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 29A:

“Cesser of membership of Seanad in certain circumstances

29B. Where a member of Seanad Éireann for a university constituency is deemed to be elected as Mayor of Limerick under paragraph 54 of Chapter 12 of Schedule 2 to the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, he or she shall thereupon cease to be such member and a vacancy shall exist accordingly in the membership of Seanad Éireann.”.

37. Amendment of Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1947

37. The Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1947 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 80A:

“Cesser of membership of Seanad in certain circumstances

80B. Where a member of Seanad Éireann elected under this Act is deemed to be elected as Mayor of Limerick under paragraph 54 of Chapter 12 of Schedule 2 to the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, he or she shall thereupon cease to be such member and a vacancy shall exist accordingly in the membership of Seanad Éireann.”.

38. Amendment of Act of 1992

38. The Act of 1992 is amended—

• (a) in section 2, by the insertion, in subsection (1), of the following definitions:

“ ‘Limerick City and County Electoral Area’ has the same meaning as it has in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024;

‘Limerick mayoral election’ means an election, including a mayoral by-election, held in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024;

‘plebiscite’ has the same meaning as it has in Part 6 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024;”,

• (b) in section 11, by the substitution, in subsection (2), of “European, local or Limerick mayoral election or a referendum or plebiscite” for “European or local election or a referendum”,

• (c) in section 13—

• (i) by the substitution, in subsection (1), of “local elections, Limerick mayoral elections or plebsicites,” for “local elections,”,

• (ii) by the substitution, in subsection (2), of “, referendum or plebiscite” for “or referendum”, and

• (iii) by the insertion, in subsection (5), of “or plebiscite” after “referendum” in each place it occurs,

• (d) in section 14—

• (i) by the substitution, in paragraph (c) of subsection (2), of “European, local or Limerick mayoral election, or a referendum or plebiscite” for “European or local election, or a referendum”, and

• (ii) by the substitution, in subsection (2), of “that election, referendum or plebiscite” for “that election or referendum”,

• (e) in section 15C—

• (i) by the substitution of “election, referendum or plebiscite” for “election or a referendum”,

• (ii) by the substitution of “election, referendum or plebiscite,” for “election or referendum,” in each place it occurs, and

• (iii) by the substitution of “elections, referendums or plebiscites.” for “elections or referendums.”,

• (f) in section 15D, in subsection (6)—

• (i) by the substitution of “election, referendum or plebiscite” for “election or a referendum”, and

• (ii) by the substitution of “election, referendum or plebiscite.” for “election or referendum.”,

• (g) in section 17, by the substitution—

• (i) in subsection (1), of “, at a local election in accordance with Part VIII of the Local Elections Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 297 of 1995), at a Limerick mayoral election in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 or at a plebiscite in accordance with Part 6 of that Act” for “or at a local election in accordance with Part VIII of the Local Elections Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 297 of 1995)”, and

• (ii) in subsection (6), of “European, local or Limerick mayoral election or a referendum or plebiscite,” for “European or local election, or a referendum,” and of “that election, referendum or plebiscite,” for “that election or referendum,”,

• (h) in section 17A, by the substitution of the following subparagraph for subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of subsection (4):

• “(ii) shall, if an order appointing polling day is made in the case of a Dáil, presidential, European, local or Limerick mayoral election, or a referendum or plebiscite, and the person will reach 18 years on a day that falls during the period beginning on the last day on which applications for entry in the register can be received and ending on polling day in the case of such an election, referendum or plebiscite, enter the name of the person on the register of electors published for the purpose of the election, referendum or plebiscite, as the case may be, or election and referendum and plebiscite, in respect of which the order appointing polling day was made, and”,

• (i) in section 28, by—

• (i) the substitution, in subsection (1), of “, local elections, Limerick mayoral elections and plebiscites” for “and local elections”, and

• (ii) the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (8):

• “(8A) The scheme in operation under this section on the commencement of section 38 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 shall apply for the purposes of a Limerick mayoral election or a plebiscite until such time as the next scheme under this section comes into operation.”,

• (j) in section 42, by—

• (i) the substitution, in paragraph (c) of subsection (1), of “Comptroller and Auditor General, or” for “Comptroller and Auditor General,”, and

• (ii) the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (c):

• “(d) is deemed to be elected as Mayor of Limerick under paragraph 54 of Chapter 12 of Schedule 2 to the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024,”,

• (k) in section 164, by—

• (i) the substitution, in subsection (1), of “local elections, Limerick mayoral elections in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 or at a plebiscite in accordance with Part 6 of that Act” for “local elections, a plebiscite under Part 6 of the Local Government Act 2019”, and

• (ii) in subsection (3), by the substitution, in subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (d), of “elections or a referendum or plebiscite” for “elections or a referendum” and “Local Elections Acts 1963 to 1992, the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024” for “Local Elections Acts, 1963 to 1992,”,

• (l) in section 165, by—

• (i) the substitution, in paragraph (g) of subsection (1), of “Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024;” for “Local Government Act 2019.”,

• (ii) the insertion, in the said subsection (1), of the following paragraph after paragraph (g):

• “(h) the poll at a Limerick mayoral election.”,

and

• (iii) the substitution, in paragraph (f) of subsection (2), of “Limerick mayoral election or plebiscite under Part 6 of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024” for “or plebiscite under Part 6 of the Local Government Act 2019”,

• (m) in the Second Schedule—

• (i) in Rule 1, by—

• (I) the substitution of “election, referendum or plebiscite” for “election or referendum” in each place it occurs, and

• (II) by the substitution, in paragraph (3), of “election, a referendum or a plebiscite” for “election or a referendum”,

• (ii) in Rule 7, by the substitution, in paragraph (2), of “election, referendum or plebiscite” for “election or referendum” in both places it occurs,

• (iii) in Rule 13, by—

• (I) the substitution, in clause (iv) of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (1) of “referendum,” for “referendum, or”,

• (II) the substitution, in clause (v) of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (1) of “election,” for “election.”,

• (III) the insertion, in paragraph (1), of the following clauses in subparagraph (b):