Time to take a hard look at the councillors who love conferences
Vast sums are spent sending them to conferences which appear to be of no benefit to local authorities or the public at large.
It appears that the expenses allocated to councillors attending these conferences far exceed the actual cost.
If true, this would mean that some people are using these conferences to make profit for themselves out of the public purse. Anecdotal evidence suggests there is much abuse of the conference set-up, with some councillors signing into two at a time and claiming expenses for attending both.
Anecdotal evidence also suggests that, quite often, councillors merely sign into conferences, turn around right away and go home without ever taking part, content that their expenses can now be collected.
It is also believed that on occasion some councillors who are members of town or borough councils, as well as their county councils, have been paid by both bodies for attending the same conference. I believe that the Dáil Public Accounts Committee and the Local Government Audit Service should initiate a thorough review of conference expenses. It should examine whether there is any fraud or misuse of public funds and whether the public are getting value for money.
The actions of all politicians and political institutions must be completely above board, accountable and transparent and no financial gain at public
expense should be obtained by politicians misusing their positions.
An inquiry into the system of conference expenses would be a step in the right direction.
If everything is above board, then all councillors should welcome such an inquiry as they will have nothing to hide. If, however, some councillors oppose this measure, then they need to be asked what are they hiding?
Gerry Casey,
7, Rosewood Court,
Maugheraboy,
Sligo.
