Limerick councillors respond to Mayor comments on the Corporate Plan

live95fm.ie · Feb 18, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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There's been a mixed response. The leader of the Fine Gael grouping has responded to Mayor Moran's comments about the vote on the Corporate Plan, It's after Mayor Moran told Live95 that democracy in Limerick had lost out when councillors chose to vote in his absence, instead of agreeing to his request for a deferral. In a separate blogpost, the Mayor said he has long suspected some councillors aim to make his role so unbearable that he resigns. Fine Gael's John Sheahan has responded by issuing a statement, saying "Recent debate around the Corporate Plan reflects the reality of a shared democratic system within Limerick City and County Council. The Mayor and councillors alike hold mandates from the people of Limerick, and robust discussion is part of responsible governance." Minister Patrick O'Donovan told Live 95 that the public nature of the row is harming Limerick. Meanwhile Cllr Sheahan says in his statement: "While we may not always agree on process or priorities, our collective focus must remain on delivering practical results for our communities. We remain committed to constructive engagement with Mayor John Moran and all colleagues to ensure the new system works effectively". In contrast, Sinn Féin representatives in Limerick have expressed serious concern about how last Tuesday’s meeting of Limerick City and County Council was conducted and warned that the actions of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael risk undermining the success of the Directly Elected Mayor model before it has been given a fair opportunity to work. Councillor Sharon Benson, Councillor PJ Carey, TD Maurice Quinlivan and Senator Joanne Collins said the manner in which the Corporate Plan was adopted raises fundamental questions about transparency, democratic debate and the willingness of the two establishment parties to allow real change in local government. The representatives said the people of Limerick voted for a Directly Elected Mayor in 2019 and again endorsed change in the 2024 mayoral election. That mandate, they said, must be respected. Councillor PJ Carey said: “The introduction of a Directly Elected Mayor was meant to mark a significant shift in how Limerick is governed. Sinn Féin supported this reform because we believe in decentralising power from Dublin and strengthening local democracy. “The people of Limerick voted for a Directly Elected Mayor. That democratic mandate must be respected, and the days of the largest parties undermining it must end.” “What happened in the council chamber last Tuesday is deeply concerning. Major amendments to the Corporate Plan were introduced at the last minute, without proper circulation or the opportunity for full public debate. That is not how democratic scrutiny should work.” Councillor Sharon Benson said the ongoing behaviour of some Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members risks blocking the very change the public voted for. “For years, Sinn Féin has argued that local government in Ireland is overly centralised and that Limerick should be empowered to shape its own future. The Directly Elected Mayor was intended to give Limerick stronger leadership, more accountability and greater ability to deliver for communities. “Instead, we are now seeing what many people will recognise as the same Fianna Fáil–Fine Gael cosy club politics that has held back progress for too long. Whether it is housing, infrastructure or investment in communities, people across Limerick are struggling and need real delivery - not procedural manoeuvring. “The conduct of some in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael suggests a clear attempt to undermine the role and make the Directly Elected Mayor model fail.” Maurice Quinlivan TD said Sinn Féin would continue to hold the Mayor and the Council to account but warned that the current approach makes meaningful assessment of the role of the directly elected mayor impossible. “Sinn Féin will always hold any Mayor to account where necessary. That is our responsibility. But the reality is that we cannot fairly judge the success of this new office if efforts are made to block or dilute its work at every turn. “The Directly Elected Mayor model was designed to work through partnership between the Mayor and councillors. It cannot succeed if debate is curtailed or decisions are rushed through without proper scrutiny.” Senator Joanne Collins said the focus must return to the real issues facing people across Limerick. “From Oola to Doon, from Newcastle West to Mungret and Annacotty, people are struggling with the cost of living, housing shortages and lack of infrastructure. The Directly Elected Mayor was meant to offer hope that Limerick could take greater control of its own future and deliver real change. Concluding the remarks, Deputy Quinlivan added: “We have held concerns regarding their commitment to this role for some time. The delay of the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael government in progressing the legislation, the refusal to accept reasonable amendments to the legislation and the behaviour of some of their councillors suggests that these parties are determined to see this exercise in local democracy fail. The people of Limerick have voted for the position of a mayor, and they voted for a Mayor. This democratic choice must be respected, the days of the largest parties on the council undermining this choice by Limerick people has to come to an end.”