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Mayor of Tralee Muncipal District, Cllr Jim Finucane.
THE new Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Jim Finucane, will get an annual allowance of €12,000 it was agreed at the meeting of the Municipal District of Tralee meeting on Monday.
Councillors were asked to consider the payment of an allowance to the Mayor of the Municipal District which is capped at €12,000.
Sinn Fein Cllr Toireasa Ferris proposed that, in light of the current state of the country’s finances, a figure of €2,000 would be more appropriate.
“We’re no longer in the days no recompense to councillors who already get an allowance and other expenses. We need to lead by example. If we approve the full allowance of €12,000 it will leave a very sour taste in the mouths of many people,” she said.
Labour Cllr Terry O’Brien disagreed with Cllr Ferris and said the position is very tough and demanding.
“It’s a position that requires great commitment and is not taken lightly. When I was Mayor of Tralee I found it more demanding than when I was Mayor of Kerry,” said Cllr O’Brien who also said that the allowance is also taxed.
Cllr Pat McCarthy (Fine Gael) said that while Cllr Ferris’ proposal was laudable, the job requires that the person gives a lot of their time to the position, to the detriment of his or her’s business and the person should be compensated for that.
There was a vote to approve a figure of €12,000 where Sinn Fein Cllrs Toireasa Ferris and Pa Daly, along with Sam Locke (Ind) voted against while the rest of the councillors approved it.
