Council Must Move Now to Cap Expenses- O'Leary

Council Must Move Now to Cap Expenses-O'Leary


Sinn Féin’s general election candidate for Cork South Central, Cllr Chris O’Leary, last night called on Cork City Council to take action against councillors who have abused the system of conference expenses.

Cllr O’Leary said:

“In the past 12 months Cork City Council has paid councillors €145,277.95 to attend conferences.”

“Some 15 councillors claimed more than the €4,700 limit on conference payments imposed by Minister Gormley. Three councillors received over €10,000 in expenses, with one claiming as much as €15,000.”

“It is ironic that some of the councillors who routinely feature at the top of the league table for conference expenses often fail to grace us with their presence in the council chamber on a Monday night.”

“Perhaps they are too busy clocking up the mileage to perform their basic duty as public representatives.”

“I am challenging the city council to take action against those members who are consistently abusing the system, and to implement the cap on conference fees that is already part of national legislation.”

For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2793407