Cork Lord Mayor criticised for level of pay
Cork's Lord Mayor is being criticised for his the level of his salary, despite volunteering to take a 10% cut.
John Buttimer offered to reduce his salary, in recognition of his council's financial difficulties.
Cork City Council is expected to take a cut of 10% to its local government fund, while other income streams are likely to be down by between 5-15% next year.
The Mayor's salary will now shrink to around 83,000, but he will continue to receive his 16,000 Councillor's allowance, expenses, and a car.
In addition, there is an €80,000 budget for entertainment.
Mayor Buttimer said that many of the expenses being attributed to him are actually for his office's use and he has drawn comparisons between himself and the famously frugal former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.
"At the end of the year, if you want to look at my record as Lord Mayor, you will see that I have done exactly the same thing that for any personal engagement or role that I have in a personal capacity, I drive my own car, I cycle, I take the bus," he said.
"The car is only used official designated functions in relation to the role pertaining to Lord Mayor."
