Councillors demand a crackdown on expenses

TWO local councillors, who refuse to claim conference expenses, have called for an immediate crackdown on the system so that taxpayers’ money can be put to better use.

Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary and Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill made the call after it emerged that several members of Cork City Council have claimed way above the maximum guideline amount set by Environment Minister John Gormley.

The minister introduced a €4,700 limit per councillor earlier this year to cap the total amount of money spent by local authorities on sending elected members to conferences, seminars or other similar meetings.

There are 31 councillors on Cork City Council which means the council has a total conference expense budget of €145,700 (€4,700 x 31).

However, if some councillors do not claim, the overall amount remains the same and their slice of the funding can be claimed by the other elected members.

There are 10 members of Cork City Council — Sinn Féin’s Jonathan O’Brien, Thomas Gould, Chris O’Leary, Fiona Kerins and Henry Cremin; FG’s Des Cahill; Independents Kieran McCarthy and Mick Finn; Workers Party councillor Ted Tynan; and Socialist Party councillor Mick Barry — who have not claimed expenses in the last 12 months.

However, Fianna Fáil’s Kenneth O’Flynn claimed just over €15,000. He was followed closely by FG’s Patricia Gosch, who claimed €10,486.

Cllr O’Leary called on city officials to sanction those who have “abused the system”.

“I’m not against councillors attending conferences — maybe four a year,” he said. “But I do have a difficulty with those who clock up the mileage and see it as an opportunity to supplement their standard of living.”

Cllr Cahill said it is his view that the €4,700 amount should be the maximum claim per elected member, and not simply an arbitrary figure used to calculate the council’s overall conference funding pot.

“I believe that we are one of just two local authorities which take the view that the €4,700 figure is a guideline, and not a maximum cap or limit per councillor.”

He called for a €1,000 cut in the “per councillor” limit, and for the savings to be channelled into councillors’ ward funds which are spent in the community.

City manager Tim Lucey told councillors that the amount of money set aside for conferences is a matter for councillors themselves, as long as it does not exceed the €145,700 level.

Lord Mayor Michael O’Connell has urged members to come up with an agreed proposal before the council’s December 20 budget meeting.

Cllr Finn (Ind) said it is his belief that the €145,700 is not money well spent.

Cllr Thomas Gould (SF) said the €4,700 he has not claimed would have been better spent on traffic calming in places like Sun Valley Drive, rather than on junkets.