The decision by Mayo County Council to send the Cathaoirleach and two other councillors to the USA for St Patrick’s Day, saw a heated debate in the council chamber on Monday. Independent Councillor Gerry Ginty wanted his opposition against the trip noted saying it was a waste of public money. The council agreed to send Cathaoirleach John Cribben and fellow councillors Damien Ryan and Michael Burke on the trip.
Cllr Ginty’s opposition to the trip was supported by fellow Independent Cllr Frank Durcan, who at one stage told the meeting “A councillor walking down Fifth Avenue dressed as a leprechaun will not bring a single job to Mayo.” To which Fine Gael Cllr Johnny O’Malley replied, “If you think that we go out there as leprechauns, then I suggest ye pair go out there as Podge and Rodge.”
Cllr Durcan told the meeting: “There is no justification for the members taking junkets during these difficult times. I am asking members not to squander public money in this fashion. It means little or nothing for councillors to attend these events in America.” Councillors from all the other political parties hit back, saying that these kinds of trips build bonds between the Irish diaspora in America and Mayo.
Cllr Ginty responded: “I don’t need to be lectured on republicanism, emigration, and US companies coming to Mayo. The companies don’t come here because councillors from Mayo go over there, they come here when the environment is right. With the environment changing and the costs rising, a lot of companies are going now, even if you do get on your knees and kiss their backside.”
Cllr Durcan said: “If I go to America as a diplomat I pay my own way, not on a freebee or standing around in a bar all day”.
The Cathaoirleach John Cribben told the meeting that he was accepting the invitation as his position involved promoting Mayo nationally and internationally and he intended to travel to New York in March. Cllr Ginty told the meeting: “I wish you the best of luck and I mean that sincerely.” Earlier in the debate Cllr Ginty had said that he had no objection to the Cathaoirleach going on his own, but objected to sending two members with him.
The council also approved a second trip next year, the second one going to Viller-la-Chévre, France, to promote walking in Mayo. They approved Cllr Gerry Coyle and Cllr Margaret Adams to go along with the Cathaoirleach. It was also agreed that Cllr Ginty would form part of the delegation but he agreed to pay his own expenses for the trip.
