The Belfast bid for the 2024 Fleadh Cheoil has become the latest topic to stir division at City Hall after a councillor condemned a £20,000 “junket” for council staff members and musicians travelling to the USA.
At Belfast City Council ’s meeting of its City Growth and Regeneration Committee, People Before Profit Councillor Fiona Ferguson criticised a trip for senior staff members, including the Chief Executive and Lord Mayor, to attend an event in New York next month to discuss the bid with US Comhaltas vote holders.
The council intends to send local musicians and four council staff to the showcase at a cost of at least £20,000. At the committee the director admitted that figure only included the expenses for 12 musicians, and did not include expenses for four council staff. The SDLP unsuccessfully tried to reduce council staff attending the showcase to two members.
