Councillors set to get 37 new tablets costing around €13,000

AN INISHOWEN councillor has defended the Council’s decision to give each member a new Samsung Tablet, costing a total of around €13,000.
At Monday’s monthly meeting of the Council in Lifford, it was revealed that all 37 Donegal County councillors would receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 – costing a total of around €13,000 as the Tablets are currently sold for about €350 each.
Sinn Féin councillor Jack Murray has supported the handing over of the new tablets, saying that he believes they will be much more cost effective and soon earn their value.
The Burnfoot councillor, who was part of the Value for Money Committee last year, said the tablets will allow the councillors to conduct their business over email and as a result, it will save the council money in the long run.
However, Cllr. Murray admits that when he first heard about the new tablets, his first thought was that it was a waste of money.
“I can understand why some members of the public are annoyed about the new tablets,” said Cllr. Murray.
“But as councillors we get so much documents and paperwork sent out to us every day. If we can get all that stuff via email think of the money it will save – not only in paper and printing but think of the money you’ll save with the cost of posting everything.
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