Sparks fly in council meeting over public expenditure

An exchange, which began with Sinn Féin calling for Minister Jack Chambers to “stop the wasteful spending of public money” and start financing essential services, got testy when the party’s councillors were reminded it was one of their own who, until recently, sat at the top of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Fianna Fáil’s John Paul Feeley was responding to the barbs contained in Cllr Noel Connell’s motion at the October meeting of Cavan County Council. Cllr Feeley said there are “always going to be ways to find examples of money spent in less than satisfactory ways”.

Cllr Connell had mentioned the need for financial support for the Irish Wheelchair Association, which due to funding shortfall, and until recently, had to reduce services to its users.

He highlighted the millions spent defending the government’s position in the Apple tax case, and confusion over invoices highlighted at the National Children’s Hospital.

Cllr Connell’s motion was supported by his party colleague Stiofán Conaty, who said the message at doors during the recent local election was the need to fix roads and provide more housing.

He said Budget 2025 was an “opportunity” to address those critical issues, but it “did neither”.

There was support too from Damien Brady (SF).

Cllr Feeley, in his retort, reminded the Sinn Féin representatives of a recent motion of theirs, which he challenged would have dealt a blow in term of funding services for towns, villages and facilities throughout Cavan.

He highlighted how Brian Stanley, now Independent, had chaired the PAC in Leinster House, and even weighed into the debate on student phone pouches described the €9m figures as a meagre percentage of the overall budget sent to be spent on education in the coming year.

He asked his fellow councillors to go through the recent budget announcement and point out elements that the public could disagree with - more money for SNAs, arts and culture, and sports facilities.

Cllr Feeley scoffed that the motion sounded like something the Sinn Féin press office had asked its councillors raise. “I’m not sure if taking the advice of the Sinn Féin press office is the best cause of action for anything,” he lambasted.

Shots fired and received, Cllr Connell pointed out to Cllr Feeley that the IWA service is still not back up and running to full capacity.

“We have to talk serious when it’s about getting people sorted on the ground.”