Council pursues former mayor for €7,200 New York trip

1166spuds on a trip to Donegal. Explain that.

Who vouches for the expenses but sure that's Ireland. Even so there should be a cap on expenses for each councilor and the rest coming out of their own pockets. She should be made hand back every penny for the junket.

robtri wrote: »

iirc, there is no voucher system, no recipts needed, you just tell them how much you spent and they cut you a check...

Receipts need to be submitted and signed off on.

Seeing as the whole world and their dogs knew about this almost two months a go, I find it hard to believe that Mary O'Halloran hasn't got the opportunity to discuss this yet with the Council. The issue arose when she upgraded herself to business class for the trip and billed the City. It was only discovered during the annual audit which means it would have been approved originally.

I'd imagine that a lot of the newly elected councillors will see their expenses soar in the coming months as the conference season kicks in. I'm very surprised that someone like Dick Roche, with no experience, hasn't attended any. There were conferences aimed especially at people who were newly elected to help them learn the ropes of local government. While I understand some people might like to find their own way, such stubbornness often results in under-performance and therefore a loss of value in their work and contribution to their role.

Those figures are way higher than most other local authorities! (even those at the bottom of the list!)

Unfortunately, not many conferences are held down in Waterford City. This means that as well as petrol expenses, there's also accommodation expenses involved in the case of a conference running over more than one day. Of the conferences that I've seen in Waterford, I can certainly say that they don't live up to their perceived reputation of being an excuse to drink late into the night and barely take in anything that's being said. They're pretty anti-climatic in their boredom actually.

It would be nice to see what benefit these conferences are having for Waterford!

Surely, Councilors are informed by the public servants. Also, the money they are on, it should be a full time job! Why should a Councilor be paid over 30k in goodbye money for not being re-elected if it is not a fulltime position?

Banana Republic!!

Yes Boss wrote: »

Surely, Councilors are informed by the public servants. Also, the money they are on, it should be a full time job! Why should a Councilor be paid over 30k in goodbye money for not being re-elected if it is not a fulltime position?

Banana Republic!!

the councillors are there to represent the public and to hold the public servants to account. you can be sure that the officials are well versed with regard to all aspects of their job. why shouldnt the councillors recieve training etc???

if you want to get rid of public representatives, go right ahead! but dont complain afterwards when there is a democratic deficit and unelected and unaccountable officials are making decisions that you are unhappy about!

so when's the next election then ?

/me strokes chin and considers business idea ..

Mary O Halloran and the outrageous amounts paid to councillors and mayor are an embarassment, incompetent and only successful of robbing the Waterford people of money that could be spent on worthwhile isues, of which there are many in Waterford. All councillors and mayors shoud be a voluntary position with a payment of expenses of about 100 to each (for petrol, transport etc) per month sufficing. Its a job you should do for the love of your hometown, not to line your pockets.

The former mayor, Mary O Halloran claims in The Munster Express that is was a clerical error. I personnaly believe it is an error to send councillors on what effectively is holdiays (with their husband, WHY?). She did not succeed in securing Waterford Crystal investment nor any of our councillors. The re-birth of 'the glass' is mainly down the efforts of city manager, Michael Walsh.

Sully wrote: »

She has came out and said it was a clerical error in todays Munster Express. She was invited by Waterford Crystal to NYC, it was an official visit, and because somebody in City Hall never entered it onto the list which covers such expenses - the auditor has an issue. In the event it was put on the list, there would be no issue.

I was under the belief that it was because she upgraded to business class?

She knew this was going to be an issue a few months back when it was discovered and she was informed. She has had plenty of time to speak with the city manager and I'll hazard a guess and say that the only reason why it's come to public light is because she's refusing to pay it.

dirty ****s, like mary harney who spent over €600 on a meal in new zealand

Further proof we don’t need a mayor if you ask me!

Having a moyor is an absolute waste of money. can some one tell me exactly what the wage for the mayor is i know its considerably higher than that a councillor.

I actually saw a letter for the mayor before and it said 'his worship the mayor' I nearly got sick!!

I say we sell the chains to 'cash for gold' put the proceeds to something useful.

I’m sure the mayor had some important jobs to do but sure I reckon we can just send all the kids who didn’t miss a day of school all year a letter or cert from Santa instead!