Budget row over funding carve-up
A controversial amendment to the draft annual budget of Louth county council has resulted in members of the local authority having to meet again to attempt to adopt a €130.5 million budget for 2021.
At Monday’s meeting in St Gerard’s Hall, Dundalk, Cathaoirleach Dolores Minogue branded a proposed amendment to change how a discretionary fund is divided up as ‘absolutely disgusting behaviour’.
As it stands, a sum of €225,000 is split equally between the Dundalk, Ardee and Drogheda districts, €75,000 each.
Yesterday, Cllr Conor Keelan sought an amendment to the budget on the basis that this money be apportioned by population size, rather than geography, which by his calculations would mean €101,000 for Dundalk, €78,000 for Drogheda and €46,000 for Ardee.
When put to a vote, the amendment was passed by 12 votes to eleven.
In favour were Marianne Butler (GP), Joanna Byrne (SF), Tom Cunningham (SF), Maria Doyle (FG), Conor Keelan (FF), Seán Kelly (FF), Pearse McGeough (SF), Andrea McKevitt (FF), John Reilly (FG), Tomás Sharkey (SF), Antóin Watters (SF) and Maeve Yore (Ind).
Against were James Byrne (FF), Kevin Callan (Ind), Hugh Conlon (Ind), Paddy McQuillan (Ind), Dolores Minogue (FG), Declan Power (Ind), Liam Reilly (FF), John Sheridan (FF), Pio Smith (Lab), Jim Tenanty (Ind) and Eileen Tully (FG).
Fiachra MacRaghnaill (Lab) abstained. Five of the elected members were not in attendance.
‘Each municipal district is equal and it’s disgusting what’s happening,’ said Cllr Minogue before adding: ‘Its absolutely disgusting behaviour.’
She subsequently withdrew those marks. re
However, when it came to adopting the budget with the amendment, a vote resulted in a 12-12 tie.
Marianne Butler, James Byrne, Kevin Callan, Maria Doyle, Conor Keelan, Seán Kelly, Andrea McKevitt, Paddy McQuillan, Declan Power, John Reilly, Liam Reilly and Eileen Tully all voted in favour.
Against were Joanna Byrne, Hugh Conlon, Tom Cunningham, Fiachra MacRaghnaill, Pearse McGeough, Dolores Minogue, Tomás Sharkey, John Sheridan, Pio Smith, Jim Tenanty, Antóin Watters and Maeve Yore.
On the casting vote of the cathaoirleach the council voted against the amended budget.
Chief executive Joan Martin then informed the meeting that councillors cannot vote against a budget. They either adopt it
as presented or with amendments.
She said there would have to be a special meeting, and reminded members that they had 14 days from the date of the original meeting to adopt a budget.
‘You need to resolve this yourselves. You are now in trouble. It’s up to you to get yourselves out of this difficulty,’ Ms Martin continued. She clarified that the amendment had now fallen.
Cllr Sharkey said he believed what Cllr Minogue had said ‘slightly pushed the boundaries of your role as cathaoirleach’.
Cllr Minogue replied that she would withdraw the comments.
‘It’s a real shame that this has happened in the middle of Covid-19,’ said Cllr Kevin Callan, adding it was an ‘absolute disgrace’.
A special meeting was fixed for Thursday next at 6pm.