The contract between the ESB and the city council, first signed in 1927, is said to be worth more than €500,000-a-year.

Pat Dromey, director of transport and infrastructure with Limerick City Council, confirmed that they will be seeking tenders early next year and said the council have received numerous complaints in relation to the ESB.

Fine Gael Cllr Jim Long said he was informed that some areas were without electricity for eight weeks, leading to anti-social behaviour. "Limerick will be one of the first major cities to move such a service from the umbrella of the ESB. The old system caused grave social and security problems to residents. The lack of street lighting was seen, and taken, as an opportunity for anti-social groups to congregrate and intimidate residents in these areas," said Cllr Long.

While the ESB may submit a tender for the service next year, Cllr Long said if they are successful it will be under new game rules.

"But I believe they will lose it – the contract – based on their track record. We weren't getting value for money and they were never challenged," he said.

When contacted by the Limerick Leader, the ESB would only comment to state:

"ESB has a contract with the majority of local authorities for the maintenance of public lighting. This contract expires at the end of 2008. ESB is aware of the requirement for local authorities to seek tenders for this service."

For more see Tuesday's Limerick Chronicle.