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.

During their New York stay they met representatives of the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland and had meetings with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Irish-American Chamber of Commerce. They also took part in the parade under the banner of the Waterfordmen's Association.

But yesterday Sinn Féin Councillor Brendan Mansfield said that last year the council delegation also met with IDA and other agency officials in New York, but instead of investment and new jobs, all they have had are redundancies, including the 400 jobs lost following the closure of the Waterford Crystal plant in Dungarvan.

"Could not the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, and Tourism Ireland have come to a full meeting of Waterford County Council and it wouldn't have cost us anything?" Mr Mansfield asked.

However Mr Barron said the fact nothing came of their visit last year shouldn't mean they not go this time.