Controversial NY visit costs cash-strapped council €20,000

CASH-STRAPPED Waterford County Council, whose capital account is in debt to the tune of a massive €7.2 million, splashed out almost €20,000 on funding last month's controversial visit by an eight-member delegation to New York for the St Patrick's Day celebrations.

Financial details of the visit have been put into the public domain in advance of next Monday's council meeting, when it is expected a report on the visit will be presented by Waterford County Mayor Ger Barron, who headed up the delegation with county manager Ray O'Dwyer.

The cost of the flights for the delegation amounted to €5,460 while accommodation totalled €9,520. Expenses came to €4,875 which brought the total for the five-day visit to €19,855 - almost €4,000 more than the cost of a similar trip in 2005.