The first 18 months of my term have been about taking stock, unblocking obstacles and building foundations for things to come.

I set out on my mayoral journey with a plan for Limerick to reset its level of ambition and to grow with confidence into a more sustainable future. 

• Where quality of life means more than GDP. 
• Where caring for others drives all of our actions.
• Where obstacles are faced and overcome with the words "Why Not".

In the last ten years Ireland has recover at speed from economic ruin. 

And it is true Limerick has improved.  But at so slow a pace of progress that we are falling behind other regions in Europe and even those in Ireland.  The numbers do not lie and many of our families and communities are being left further behind. 

• We get 35,000 jobs while Ireland creates 600,000 in ten years. 
• Our population grows at 5% while Ireland's grows at 8%. 
• Every year we build 800 homes while Ireland builds over 30,000.

I said I wanted to drive a reset on Shannonside.  I want to be the Mayor who helps us all: 

• Deliver greater ambition in what we do.
• Deliver more and better housing and infrastructure more quickly. 
• Ensure an environment for many more jobs so that people no longer need to leave our region in their thousands for opportunity. 
• Deliver better public services right here in Limerick.

But I want to do that with a focus on what matters in life: family, friends and community, health and equity of opportunity for all.

For now, we have managed to kickstart a lot of projects which needed that extra push. There are many examples but some of which I am most proud are the following:

• Floodprotection is moving forward on Kings Island and in Athea, Castleconnell and Adare
• Water restrictions are removed in Cappamore and Askeaton/Foynes
• The LTT office block in the Opera Square is ready for occupation and a crane hovers over the soon to be OPW building site
• Scaffolding will shortly go up on the Flaxmill Building at Cleeves
• The bypass of Adare is moving fast and on target as is the new trainline to Foynes
• The west access road to Moyross is almost ready and the train station moving ahead
• A concert and play have once more been held in the Theatre Royal after nearly 30 years of absence
• Limerick has become a WHO Healthy City and a Marmot City to combat health inequity
• The new Bon Secours private hospital has opened and additional beds have been built in UHL
• We have purchased 70 acres of lands in Patrickswell for new housing
• The LDA has secrued planning permission for hundreds of new homes in the Gasworks site
• The RIAI design work is complete showing the potential of Moyross
• Colbert Park has been designed and will soon be submitted for planning
• nearly 7 million has been secured for the Forge Design Factory on Nicholas Street and work has commenced on the Fashion Incubator on nearby Mary's St
• The new Bus Station has opened at Colbert Station
• Public realm works have commenced in Abbeyfeale