Fine Gael defends use of public funds for party conference
Fine Gael has reportedly defended a move to use taxpayers' money to fund the attendance of its councillors at a party conference next week.
Reports this morning said a number of local authorities had approved the expenditure at the request of Fine Gael.
The money will reportedly be spent to allow Fine Gael councillors attend the party's annual local government members' conference in Athlone, which takes place in Athlone from next Thursday to Saturday.
This morning's reports said Minister for the Environment Dick Roche has described the move as "outrageous", but Fine Gael had insisted that it was warranted as the conference would be dealing with serious issues facing local government.
