Deputy Quinlivan expressed his desire to lead Limerick as mayor “for all the people of Limerick” in a statement this morning.

“The people of Limerick need a voice who will stand up for Limerick, who will work hard to ensure that we get a fair deal from Government and that our city and county work better for its people,” he stated.

“That is what I am committed to delivering.”

After winning a seat on the Limerick City Council in 2009, Mr. Quinlivan has served as a TD for the Limerick City district since 2016.

At the local and European elections on June 7th next year, Limerick residents will choose their own mayor of Limerick city and county for the first time in the State's history.

In a poll, Cork and Waterford residents also cast their ballots on whether or not to allow them to choose their own mayor, but Limerick was the only area where the idea was successful by a narrow margin of just over 3,500 votes.

Limerick's local government will now be divided into three tiers: the elected council, the mayor, and the council director general, a former chief executive.

A large number of the CEO's responsibilities will fall to the next mayor.

Aontú's Sarah Beasley, Dr. Laura Keyes of An Rabharta Glas, businesswoman Helen O'Donnell, former CEO of Limerick Chamber Dee Ryan, former General Secretary of the Department of Finance John Moran, Green Party TD Brian Leddin, Social Democrats Councillor Elisa O'Donovan, and Ruairi Fahy are among the other candidates.