The Mayor of Donegal said he will go to America for St.Patrick’s Day – if councillors want him to.
Donegal County Council will today debate on whether to approve the overseas travel budget for councillors.
Central to that will be a discussion on the annual decision to send the Mayor to represent the county at the St.Patrick’s Day celebrations in the US.
Last night Mayor Frank McBrearty told Donegal Daily that he will be honoured to represent the council in America but only if his fellow councillors agree to send him.
“I have and always will abide by the decision of my fellow councillors.
“I have tried to abide by the rules of the council to the best of my ability in the first six months of office as Mayor.
“And tomorrow I will do the same again and agree with whatever decision the council makes,” he said.
Former Mayor Brendan Byrne said he will be voting against Mayor McBrearty going to America as a decision was taken by the council in 2009 not to send a delegation to America.
From a personal perspective, Raphoe councillor McBrearty said he thinks the council should be represented in America during the year of The Gathering.
Mayor McBrearty visited Boston twice at the end f last year and said he has made vital connections with America.
“I think Donegal has to continue to forge those links and reach out to our diaspora – now more than ever.
“This is the year of The Gathering which I think is a very worthwhile initiative and I think we need to be represented as a council there,” he said.