Boston trip approved by council after adjournment

Donegal County Council’s reconvened monthly meeting was adjourned for a time today after repeated interjections from Cllr Frank Mc Brearty. His comments centred on his opposition to the council paying for two members and the manager to attend a number of functions.
During the County Manager’s report, it emerged that the Mayor of Donegal has been invited to Boston to be the keynote speaker at the Irish Echo Golden Bridges Award ceremony next month.
In his report, Manager Seamus Neely said the awards are built around an initiative to promote ties between the US, Donegal and Derry. A business breakfast has also been arranged with Irish American Business Leaders, as have meetings with representitives from the the Massachusetts State House and the University of Massachusetts.
Cllr Ciaran Brogan, seconded by Cllr Noel Mc Bride proposed that the Mayor Cllr Cora Harvey go, along with the manager and the County Development Board Chairperson Cllr Dessie Larkin.
At this point, Cllr Frank Mc Brearty Jnr interjected, saying he would not be in favour of using tax payers money for such a trip. He then clashed with a number of members, raising Udaras na Gaeltachta expenses with Cllrs Padraig O’Dochairtaigh and Seamus O’Domhnaill. “The day of junkets and expenses is over” interjected Cllr Mc Brearty.
When he refused to stop, Cllr Harvey adjoiurned the meeting for an hour.
When the meeting reconvened, the trip was approved without debate or comment.