COUNCILLORS raised questions over why they need approval to ride bicycles on an upcoming cycling study trip to Denmark, while Mayor John Moran doesn’t need any approval for his foreign trips.
The issue raised its head at last week’s full meeting of Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) when foreign travel was being considered for approval. The only item for consideration on the agenda was a trip to Copenhagen to review its cycling network in November.
Fine Gael councillor John Sheahan wanted to know if there was any other invitations for foreign travel “on the table” at the moment.
“I’m left to understand that we have, and I think to be clear and transparent to everyone, if there is other invitations they should be on the table today,” Cllr Sheahan insisted.
Councillors were then informed that another invitation to Austin, Texas was discussed at a corporate policy group meeting, which they are “still working through”.
Cllr Daniel Butler (FG) wanted to know why this wasn’t brought before councillors at this month’s meeting for approval.
Mayor John Moran replied to Cllr Butler.
“It’s my understanding that the invitations that came in, and there’s actually another one to Belfast, are for the mayor to attend a number of different events across different locations,” he explained.
Mayor Moran also said that he was looking to see if these trips could be deferred.
Cllr Butler took the view that they should still be brought before the council members for approval and then deferred if necessary.
“Generally, the procedure in the chamber is that we will approve foreign travel in advance,” he pointed out.
Councillors were then informed that the mayor does not need approval for foreign travel.
“But you need approval to ride a bike in Denmark,” Cllr Stephen Keary (FG) commented.
Director General of LCCC, Pat Daly explained that executive members do not need approval for foreign travel but council members do.
Cllr Liam Galvin (FG), who considers Mayor Moran a councillor, believed he still needed approval for foreign trips.
In response, Moran said, “It is my assumption that I don’t, but I can talk to the Department of Local Government and confirm.”
This softened Cllr Galvin’s thunder.
“We’ll be fine then as long as we’re not doing anything illegal in this chamber,” he told the mayor.
