The company owned by Independent Fianna Fáil councillor Danny Healy-Rae was among the highest paid for plant hire contracts by Kerry County Council in 2005, according to documents released by the council yesterday.
Danny Healy-Rae, Main Street, Kilgarvan, was paid €516,110 last year, the second highest out of 114 haulage and plant hire contractors employed by the council.
The largest amount, €590,725, was paid to Clancy Plant Hire, Knockanure, Listowel.
In all, some €8.14 million was paid by the council for these services in 2005. Mr Healy-Rae who lists his professions as a publican, farmer, company director of his plant hire company and bus hire operator, is consistently among the high earners for plant hire to the council. In 2004 he was paid almost €446,400 by the council.
In the 2006 declaration of interests in the section on local authority contracts, he says he is paid by the hour for supplying plant on demand for haulage and other services, but he does not supply hedge-cutting.
John O'Connor, county council head of finance, said contractors must satisfy the council on insurance, safety, tax clearance and other relevant tax certification.