Watchdog: Councillor’s expenses claim illegal

THE state’s ethics watchdog has found that a Fine Gael councillor broke the law by claiming unwarranted expenses.

Donegal councillor Terence Slowey faces a meeting with Fine Gael’s disciplinary committee next Tuesday.

It arises from Mr Slowey claiming travel expenses for attending two separate conferences on the same weekend in October 2008.

He received €1,270.99 from Donegal County Council for a conference which took place from October 16-18 in Kerry.

He claimed another €963.87 from the Border Regional Authority for attending a conference in Cork the same weekend.

The Standards in Public Office Commission began an investigation after receiving a complaint last year from Donegal Co Council’s mayor and county manager.

In its report published yesterday, the commission found Mr Slowey contravened the Local Government Act and Standards in Public Office Act and acted “in disregard” of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

“The commission is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the contraventions were committed recklessly,” it stated.

“The commission regards the claiming of unwarranted expenses to be unacceptable and to be a serious matter.” The contraventions were “not continuing ones”, but said Mr Slowey “did not act in good faith”.

It has sent its report to Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Environment Minister Phil Hogan.

There was no immediate response from Mr Slowey last night. Fine Gael said it fully accepted the findings, stating:

“A hearing of the disciplinary committee will be held next Tuesday April 19. Cllr Slowey will be in attendance at the said hearing.”

The commission found Mr Slowey had:

* Contravened section 168 of the Local Government Act 2001 by “failing to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest” by claiming the unwarranted expenses.

* Contravened section 169(3) of the same act and acted in disregard of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

* Contravened section 169(3) and disregarded the code of conduct by not attending the whole of the Kerry conference.

* Carried out a “specified act” within the meaning of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 “by way of his conduct” in claiming the double expenses.