Mayo councillor questions proposed trip by colleagues to the US

A newly-elected Mayo county councillor has questioned the attendance of councillors at an Irish festival in the United States.

Aontú’s Paul Lawless raised concerns about the proposal to send the Cathaoirleach and councillors to attend the Milwaukee Irish Festival in August. Cllr Lawless has formally requested a detailed cost report for the proposed trip and called for a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis to justify the expenditure of taxpayers' money on long-haul flights during peak travel periods.

“Many business owners in my area are already grappling with soaring rates, insurance premiums, energy costs, and the overall cost of living. Many business owners can’t afford to take a day off, let alone see their hard-earned money used to fund politicians' trips to America. At a time when there is so much financial anxiety out there with the ever-increasing cost of living, I think we should operate with financial prudence,” said Cllr Lawless, after he raised the issue at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council.

He said these trips send out the wrong message to constituents and hit out at Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

“There is a real contradiction here from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors who stand with parties who support carbon taxes aimed at reducing unnecessary travelling and particularly long-haul flights. What message does this send to taxpayers who are burdened with severe carbon charges to get to work or bring their children to school, yet see local councillors from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael seeking to use taxpayers' money for long-haul flights?”