Reports have been published about business class flights and luxury accommodation for Dublin City Councillors and senior management on trips to the French Riviera and California.
Dublin City Council paid €11,400 for rooms for Councillors and senior management at a luxury hotel on the French Riviera. A business class flight to California for Fine Gael Dublin Central by-election candidate Councillor Ray McAdam cost the Council €5,900.
People Before Profit Dublin Central by-election candidate Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin said:
“In recent days we have learned that Councillor Ray McAdam, the Fine Gael candidate in the upcoming Dublin Central by-election, got himself flown to California in business class at a cost to the Council of €5,900. This is the same Councillor McAdam that, just six months ago, voted to increase rents for Council tenants. The proposal to increase Council rents passed by just a single vote.
“In recent months I have hosted multiple meetings for DCC tenants to organise opposition to the rent increases. At these meetings tenants were as frustrated about the lack of essential maintenance work on their homes as they were angry about the higher rents they are now being forced to pay.
“The powerful fly business class and stay in luxury hotels while Council tenants face paying higher rents for properties that are often badly maintained and sometimes barely habitable. It's a telling illustration of the divide between Ireland‘s establishment and ordinary people.
“Opposition to the rent increases will be galvanised by the news about the luxury junkets for Fine Gael by election candidate Ray McAdam and Council senior management.
“The by-election on 22nd May will be an opportunity for Council tenants and the people of Dublin Central to reject Ray McAdam, his rent increases and his Fine Gael party.
“But the campaign to reverse the rent increases will not end on 22nd May. People Before Profit will work with CATU and with tenants in the months ahead to get the increases reversed at the next Council budget meeting in November.”