New York is most popular spot for trips by councillors

COUNCILS:AT LEAST 43 councillors and council officials will travel abroad for St Patrick's Day events, representing half of the city and county councils.

Seventeen of the State's 34 city and county councils will not send any representatives on the annual St Patrick's Day exodus, a survey by The Irish Timeshas found.

New York is the most popular destination, with 14 councils sending 30 councillors and council officials to the city. Most are travelling on long-standing invitations from ex-pat groups for the parade’s 250th anniversary.

Other councils will travel to California, Louisiana, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, London and Birmingham. Meath is sending the largest delegation with seven officials travelling to New York and London. It also sent the largest delegation last year.

A Mayo County Council delegation will visit the largest number of cities, as cathaoirleach Michael Burke (FG) travels to Philadelphia, Chicago and New York. Two councillors and one official will travel to prepare for a diaspora convention in Mayo this summer.

Sligo is the only other council to send officials to more than one city. Cathaoirleach Joe Leonard (FG) will visit Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on the invitation of its Irish association, while mayor Matt Lyons (FG) visits New York.

Dublin City Council is the only one of the capital’s four local authorities to send a delegation abroad for St Patrick’s Day events.

Lord mayor Gerry Breen (FG) will lead a delegation of 12 visiting San Jose, California, to mark the 25th twinning anniversary and to develop cultural, business, technological and educational links.

The council is sending three councillors and two officials to the city in Silicon Valley at a cost of €6,500. Other delegates will pay their own costs and come from educational, cultural and business groups.

Galway City Council mayor Michael Crowe (FF) will travel to Seattle for twinning celebrations with his wife and the deputy city manager. It is a “very good opportunity” for business links, a spokesman said.

Limerick County Council is one of only two councils to send delegations to the UK. Cathaoirleach Richard Butler (FG) and one official will visit the “thriving Irish community” in Birmingham. The trip cost €1,331 last year.

In a difficult economic climate, councils were keen to justify their visits. Most visiting New York will promote business and tourism links, with some supporting events such as the Fleadh Cheoil in Cavan or the Irish Open golf championship in Kerry.

Clare mayor Christy Curtin (Ind) is taking the unusual step of paying for his New York trip. The county manager’s travel costs will be covered by the council.

The Department of the Environment cut rates for councillors’ travel and subsistence allowances by 25 per cent in March 2009.

Town and borough councils were not included in the survey.