Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether it is inappropriate for local authority members to claim expenses for attendance at a conference (details supplied). [27769/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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While decisions regarding attendance at conferences are a matter for local elected members, the Local Government Act 2001 requires an elected council to be satisfied, inter alia, that such attendance is in the general interest of its administrative area and the local community and the rules, regulations and directions associated with conference attendance are designed to reflect this. In these circumstances, I would not consider it appropriate for fees or expenses to be paid by local authorities in respect of attendance by elected members at any conference, seminar, workshop or similar event organised by a political party. Such attendance would be a matter for the individual or party concerned and the payment of expenses from public funds would not be warranted.

I have written to the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland, the General Council of County Councils and the Local Authority Members Association advising them of my views on this matter. In addition, my Department has written to county and city managers informing them that attendance at conferences organised by any political party should not receive local authority funding.