Most people in this House know that a very historic election is taking place in Limerick on 7 June. I must declare I am a candidate in that election, but I assure you, a Cheann Comhairle, that it is not the reason I am raising this particular issue.

I refer to the election for a directly elected mayor, the first in Ireland's history, which will happen in Limerick. The Taoiseach and I both know this is not simply about electing a ceremonial mayor. It is about electing an executive mayor. Effectively, it is like electing the county manager for Limerick on 7 June. What I am getting on the doors is that people do not quite understand that. I do think there is a deficit in the campaigning by the State and the Department in helping people to understand that this is historic, not simply because the people are going to vote for the mayor, but because the mayor's role is actually going to be an executive role as well. We can do more as a Government to help people understand the importance of this new office.

I am reminded of the political adage of wishing Deputy Leddin luck, but not too much. I do wish him luck in his campaign. I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I very much appreciate the importance of this election to the people of Limerick. Limerick will be the first city and county in our country to vote for its directly elected mayor. That office comes with significant powers, responsibilities and opportunities and indeed, I imagine, learnings for the rest of the country, so I take very seriously the points Deputy Leddin has made and I will raise them with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.