A proposal put forward by Fine Gael Councillor Paddy McGuinness that the council publish each January the allowances and expenses paid to elected members during the previous year was passed at the monthly county council meeting this week.
The views of Cllr McGuinness — who was not present at the meeting on Inishturk — were expressed by party colleague Cllr Henry Kenny who said that the expenses, which elected members are entitled by law to claim, are often viewed as “immoral” or “illegal” when published after being sought out by the Freedom of Information Act.
According to Cllr Kenny if the council annually publish such expenses then by being “upfront” and “visible” the association of “wrongdoing will no longer exist”. Cllr Patsy O’Brien seconded the motion and said that it would allow for openness and transparency.
