CHRISTMAS came early for Limerick councillors as Mayor John Moran finally agreed to have them back on the boards of the Council’s designated activity companies (DACs) in 2026.
After the Mayor took his seat in office in June 2024, his first major row with Council members erupted when discussions of assigning DAC board seats were raised.
Prior to the election of a DEM, it had long been the tradition within the local authority to appoint some local councillors to DAC boards to help steer the companies. Councillors were not impressed with Mayor Moran’s view that board members “should only serve on those boards if they can bring specific knowledge” about the company’s function.
Councillors and Council management sought legal advice in relation to DAC board nominations and the powers of the Mayor to enforce such a position.
As the season of goodwill got into full swing, signs of a peaceful new year appeared when questions were again raised about the DACs.
Speaking at a special meeting in Dooradoyle Council chambers, Fine Gael councillor Dan McSweeney wanted to know if there had been any correspondence from Minister of Local Government, James Browne, in relation to elected members sitting on the DACs.
Council Director General Dr Pat Daly revealed that correspondence was received from the Minister and he would “be seeking that it is circulated and acted upon”.
Cllr McSweeney told Mayor Moran: “We’ve had serious governance issues in the DACs across the organisation. It’s been going on for 18 months. If there has been instructions issued by the Minister, this chamber needs to know about them. This is a pressing issue for this chamber, it has gone on long enough.”
Mayor Moran explained he was planning to clarify a number of things with the Minister and get some clarity about how to go about appointing people.
“With all due respect, you spent 18 months seeking legal opinions, seeking clarifications from the Minister. You’ve now been told that the guidance document applies, and now you’re questioning the nomination process so maybe you might kill another 18 months trying to seek that clarification. This has gone beyond a joke,” Cllr McSweeney responded.
“You’ve confirmed this morning that the elected members should be on the DACs because the code of good governance applies. Will you go and put the elected members on the DACs for the governance sake and not be going around seeking more clarity in relation to a nomination process? You’re presiding over poor governance of the DACs.”
Mayor Moran suggested that Council groupings think about who should be on the respective DACs so they can act quickly in 2026, once he gets instruction from the Minister.