Councillors’ body does ‘not condone’ behaviour alleged in Prime Time Investigates

An association that represents local representatives throughout the State has said it does “not condone” any behaviour by councillors of the kind alleged in a Prime Time Investigates programme on Tuesday.

The Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) said it was “only right” that the dozens of councillors named in the programme who had allegedly claimed expenses for two separate events occurring around the same time make contact with their council to review their records and “take appropriate action to rectify the situation if necessary”.

The programme also reported that hundreds of councillors allegedly contravened a provision in the Local Government Act designed to provide transparency about the expenses claimed by local representatives.

In a large number of case studies, it showed that councillors claimed mileage and expenses for separate gatherings in different locations that were happening at the same time, or very close to the same time.

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In a statement, AILG president Cllr Mary Hoade said the association did not condone any behaviour that deviated from the highest standards.

Ms Hoade said she expected association members to “comply with rules and regulations to ensure that there is no misuse of public funds when it comes to claiming travel and subsistence”.

She continued: “Any issues that were raised in the programme are in the first instance a matter for the individual councillor, their respective local authority or external body.”