Will Assembly pay Cllrs’ ‘travel’ expenses for remote meetings?

Bradley Bytes – A sort of political column by Dara Bradley

The North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) has said it is waiting for confirmation from Government about how to “deal with” paying members ‘travel’ expenses for online meetings during Covid-19.

The Assembly is made up of councillors from across the West and North West, including Galway City and County Councils.

Tasked with enhancing the region’s competitiveness, it comprises 25 elected members from eight counties.

The NWRA pays its members travel expenses for attending meetings, which usually take place in County Roscommon.

NWRA said that, ordinarily, members’ expenses are paid for attendance at meetings. The amount paid is based, “on the number of meetings Councillors attend and the distance they live from the Assembly Headquarters in Ballaghaderreen where meetings are generally held”, according to Gerry Lavelle, Programme Executive at NWRA.

There are also ad hoc allowances for attendance at regional planning meetings held in different parts of the country.

The NWRA held a tele-meeting in April, where members participated remotely, due to the restrictions on gatherings as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown. So, no travel – and, presumably, no expenses?

Mr Lavelle said: “I wish to confirm that the Assembly did hold a tele-meeting in April. No expenses were paid to date to any member for participation at this meeting which was held remotely.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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