Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway City Council is to call on the Minister of the Environment to consider allowing it to set its own Mayoral allowance.
The matter has been discussed by the Corporate Policy Group who have agreed a resolution would be sent to the new Minister Alan Kelly.
Galway City’s Mayoral allowance was passed by members consent at a special meeting in City Hall this month.
It consists of 10 thousand euro in vouched expenses and a 10 thousand euro taxable allowance.
This is a cut of 18 thousand euro – down from 38 thousand euro.
The City Council Chief Executive Brendan McGrath also told the special meeting that the Corporate Policy Group feel the office of Mayor should be open to every citizen and that the full time role should take account of the costs incurred.
The proposal to ask the Minister to review the situation was voted on and passed by 13 councillors.
Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Crowe was opposed to the proposal and said the Minister implemented the decision post-election and the council must be guided by legislation.