A large majority of Waterford councillors passed an emergency motion last night stating their opposition to the directly elected mayors proposal.

The city and county is holding a plebiscite on the proposal next month.

The motion’s wording was: “Having had no prior consultation, input, or interaction on the minister’s directly elected mayors with executive functions and having read and heard from the executive the detailed policy proposals, this council wishes to state its opposition to the directly elected mayors current proposal.”

13 councillors from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Independents voted for the motion, stating their opposition, while two Sinn Féin members voted against.

There were four abstentions and another 13 councillors were not present for the vote.

The Councillors that voted in favour of the motion, stating their opposition to the directly elected mayor proposal, were Councillors Liam Brazil, Damien Geoghegan, Mayor of Waterford Declan Doocey (all FIne Gael), James Tobin, Michael J O’Ryan, Deputy Mayor John O’Leary, Eddie Mulligan, Tom Cronin, Ray Murphy (all Fianna Fáil), as well as Independents Joe Kelly, Seán Reinhardt, Blaise Hannigan, Cha O’Neill and Matt Shanahan.

Sinn Féin councillors John Hearne and Siobhán Whelan voted against the motion and spoke in favour of the directly elected mayor proposal. Their party colleagues Jim Griffin, Breda Brennan and Pat Fitzgerald abstained along with Fianna Fáil’s Eamon Quinlan.

Photo shows Lord Mayor of Waterford, Edward Walsh at civic reception 1928.