A director of the company behind the North Quays Development says he believes Waterford will be left behind if it rejects the proposal on a Directly Elected Mayor.

On May 24th, people in Waterford, Cork and Limerick, will be asked to vote on a directly elected Mayor who would be elected for a five year term and would have executive powers.

Director of Falcon Real Estate Ireland Rob Cass says a directly elected Mayor would be responsible for Waterford’s development plan.

He says Cork and Limerick are looking at 300 percent growth through to 2040 but Waterford’s current plan is fifty percent.

“There is a very real risk that if we say no and Cork and Limerick say yes, they will drive on because they already have plans for growth, they will drive on with that delivery and we
won’t get another opportunity, so this is essentially a chance in our generation to say, let’s just go for growth and if we don’t Limerick and Cork are going to bypass us.

Councillors in Waterford in the main have opposed the proposal citing the cost.

Rob Cass says a more ambitious plan could be worth a billion euro to the economy in Waterford.
“I look at the benefit side rather than the cost of the salary. A billion and ten thousand jobs versus three peoples salary, that’s a good return on my taxpayers money”.

A public meeting chaired by former judge Henry Abbott will be held in the Tower Hotel tomorrow from 7.30pm to 9pm where people can learn more about the proposals on directly elected Mayors.