Signing autographs for kids and planning budgets are just some of the tasks undertaken by the new Mayor of Limerick John Moran in his first days in office.

He said the people of Limerick feel a “proximity to decision-makers” that has never been experienced in the county before.

The former Secretary General of the Department of Finance made history on June 11th when he became Ireland’s first-ever directly elected mayor, as part of a new system of local governance for Limerick.

On Lunchtime Live today, Mayor Moran said there’s been “huge excitement” around the county since.

“I think Limerick has totally rallied around this,” he said.

“The one thing I was hoping for is this, that people feel a proximity to decision-makers now – and it’s fun.

“In a way, I walk around the place, and some kids want autographs now and stuff like that.

“It’s not just about me; I know that they now know who their Mayor is, and that’s important.”

John Moran is Elected at Limerick Racecourse in Limerick's mayoral election in which citizens voted to directly elect their own mayor for the first time in the history of the State. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

The Independent politician said the new role should be rolled out across the State.

“It’s the first time in 100 years that we’ve had such a big change in the way things work,” he said.

“I’m already hearing people in Cork and Waterford, who voted this down as an idea, are starting to look at it again and say, ‘Well, maybe we should have done it differently’.

“Hopefully, they’ll choose it again in five years’ time, as might other local authorities.

“For a long time, I’ve been arguing that we really need to bring decision-making much closer to people in Ireland, and this is a real opportunity now, not just for this to work here in Limerick, but for the Government.”

Mayoral Programme

Mayor Moran said he’s currently working on his programme for office.

“In that program, we actually have over 300 or so items that I know I can deliver, fund, and achieve in the next five years,” he said.

“But there’s also a vision for a future Limerick that’s not funded yet; things about housing – the amount of housing we need to deliver is intense, and that requires big change.”

Mayor of Limerick John Moran pictured with Lunchtime Live presenter Andrea Gilligan today. Image: Newstalk

He also plans to have lots of engagement with local councillors on upcoming budgets.

“What’s really important for the council is the €300 million or so that they approve every year, which is spent in Limerick in terms of fixing roads, playgrounds, and stuff like that,” he said.

“That's where I think there'll be some really good conversations between the Mayoral Programme [and councillors] about how we fund those.”

John Moran was elected on the 12th count in the Mayoral election, with Independent Helen O'Donnell placing second and Fianna Fáil's Dee Ryan in third.

You can listen back here:

Main image: Limerick mayoral candidate John Moran listens to the first count being called. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo