Limerick mayor says lack of resources prevents him from fulfilling electoral mandate

Limerick Mayor John Moran says his office lacks the resources needed to carry out the role voters gave him, with staff and the mayor working under extreme pressure.

In correspondence with Housing and Local Government Minister James Browne, Moran said the level of support was “not sufficient” for him to perform the functions and electoral mandate attached to the office. He said the situation had placed unreasonable demands on staff and repeatedly forced him to work hours far beyond reasonable expectations.

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not sufficient support

Moran linked the problem to his office’s failure to take part in consultation on a report by the Local Democracy Taskforce. In a July 9 letter, he asked to be consulted before the report and its implementation plan went to Cabinet, citing possible effects on Limerick and Limerick City and County Council. He later sought a draft of the report, an urgent meeting under Section 35 and a delay in Government consideration.

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functions and electoral mandate

Browne replied on July 21, the day before the report was due before Cabinet, that the formal consultation had taken place during summer 2025. He listed contacts with Moran’s office, including one after the deadline, and said no submission had been received. Browne said the office had been given “a full and reasonable opportunity” to participate while acknowledging the concerns raised.

The Department defended its support for the mayor’s office, saying it had worked collaboratively with the council. It pointed to a fund of up to €40 million for mayoral initiatives during Moran’s five-year term and €600,000 for the mayor’s and staff salaries this year. Moran, a former Department of Finance secretary general and Independent politician, is Ireland’s only directly elected mayor. His spokesman said no Section 35 meeting had taken place after the request.

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a full and reasonable opportunity