Manager defends €48k paid out in conference costs

PAYMENTS of €48,000 to councillors for attending three conferences were in accordance with departmental rates and agreed with the Environment Minister, a county manager has stated.

Clare county manager, Tom Coughlan, was responding to the state’s local government auditor, Thomas O’Callaghan.

In a report that went before the council yesterday, Mr O’Callaghan said that “The overall costs incurred for attendance at such conferences and whether value for money is being obtained by attending such events should be evaluated.”