Clare County Council today became one of the first local authorities in the country to make the expenses of its Councillors and Executive available online.The move has been unanimously approved by the Council’s 32 elected representatives and will allow members of the public to view all Allowances and Expenses paid to Councillors, including income from committees and boards, Mayoral allowances, and travel and office expenses.
The online information, which will be updated on a regular basis on the Clare County Council website www.clarecoco.ie, also includes the Council Executive’s expenses and numerous examples of meetings attended by Councillors.
Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy said the move is aimed at bringing transparency to the issue of County Councillors’ gross earnings
The Mayor explained: “For some time there has been somewhat of a distorted view that details of such expenses and allowances were being shielded from the public. However, such information has always been available on the public record and I am delighted that Clare County Council and my fellow elected representatives have agreed to make this information more easily accessible. I believe that as the gross income earned by councillors is taxpayers' money, such details should be open and transparent rather than being accessible only under the Freedom of Information Act”.
Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan added: “In the spirit of cooperation, which exists between the Council Executive and elected members, the Management team is happy to publish details of expenses online.”
- Councillors expenses
- Executive expenses
ABOVE PIC: Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy and County Secretary Michael McNamara. Pic by Arthur Ellis, Press 22
