This article is from page 8 of the 2006-06-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
THE appointment of a PR consultant by Clare County Council was last night questioned at the council’s June meeting.
In response to a motion by Cllr Paschal Fitzgerald (Lab), members were told that former Head of News at Clare FM, Mark Dunphy is now working as PR consultant for the council on a trial three month period.
In the response, councillors were told that the “costs involved are very small in the context of the council’s overall budget”.
County Manager, Alec Fleming, admitted that the council did need to improve in the PR area, adding that council employees would continue to deal directly with the media. He said: “The appointment is very much on a part-time basis.”
Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said: “I have no problem with the person appointed. He is very competent, but I can’t see how adding a veneer on council matters will improve things. The best PR for the council is top quality service.”
However, independent councillor, Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) said that the appointment of Mr Dunphy was “a masterstroke” by Mr Fleming.