‘Golden goodbye’ payments criticised

The level of “golden goodbye” payments to be given to town councillors when the authorities are abolished next year has been condemned by opposition parties.

With 80 councils facing the chop in the radical shake-up of local government, long-serving politicians could be in line for pay-offs of up to €16,000.

A payment of €2,800 will go to a town councillor who has served a full five-year term and does not go on to be elected to another authority. This rises to €16,000 for someone with 20 years’ service.