CANDIDATES in the race to be Limerick’s first directly-elected mayor on June 7 will go head-to-head for the first time in front of a live audience tonight (Tuesday).
The candidates who are vying to take the reigns of Limerick’s finances, as well as taking home an annual salary of almost €152,000 and a staff of five, must not have another job that interferes with the role.
The candidates will outline their plans and take questions in front of a live audience at the Millennium Theatre, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), from 7pm to 9.30pm tonight.
The debate, organised by the Limerick Post newspaper, Limerick Chamber, and TUS, will provide a first-hand insight into each of the candidates, as well as their plans for the unique role.
Candidates will be expected to outline how they would take on executive functions at strategic and policy levels in areas such as housing, transport and inward investment, over the five-year role.
The region’s hospital bed and housing capacity crisis is also expected to be a hot topic during the debate.
The debate will be moderated by Pat Leahy, political editor at The Irish Times.
“With so much conversation around the role of the new mayor, and so much riding on the inaugural term being a success, we firmly believe that bringing candidates together to discuss the issues most important to the people of Limerick, in front of the people of Limerick, is key in giving voters the information they need going into polls on June 7,” offered Adam Leahy, News Editor, Limerick Post.
Mr Leahy said he hoped for a “lively debate” and he felt that a directly elected mayoralty “has been a long time coming for Limerick, and – given our own mission of providing the people of Limerick the news they need to know every week – we are hugely excited to play a part in hosting this debate”.
Professor Vincent Cunnane, Technological University of the Shannon president, said it was proud to be “facilitating public debate at a very significant juncture for Limerick and the broader region”.
Noel Gavin, Limerick Chamber president, said it was “delighted to bring forward a debate amongst the candidates, and we are looking forward to this historic debate”.
Will Ryan, publisher of the Limerick Post, said the newspaper was “proud to play a part in facilitating this crucial conversation as local media has a unique responsibility to inform and connect our readers with the issues, particularly in such a historic election”.
“By shining a light on the candidates’ visions and priorities, we hope to empower the people of Limerick to make well-informed decisions in choosing who will shape the county’s future,” added Mr Ryan.
The free ticket-only event (now sold out) will also be streamed online live at limerickpost.ie/mayoraldebate.
