FF fail in attempt to delay city budget

Fianna Fail councillors failed to postpone the passing of Dublin City Council’s budget last week.

Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick (FF) had rounded up fellow party councillors Tom Brabazon, Paul McAuliffe, Deirdre Heney and Jim O’Callaghan in an attempt to defer the passage of next year’s budget.

The councillors believed that the impending property tax announcement and its effects on local government funding rendered the budget premature.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said it was unclear what effect the property charge, announced in this week’s budget, would have on funding for the city.

The Fianna Fail councillors called for the adoption of the budget to be delayed until December 10, when the full implications of the property tax could be assessed.

Sinn Féin and Labour, who had tabled amendments to the budget, said they agreed with Fianna Fail’s sentiment but would not support the move and it was roundly rejected.

During last week’s debate an operational budget fund worth just over e1 billion was rubberstamped.

Labour leader on the council, Dermot Lacey, said the budget, which included nearly e810 million in the general budget as well as some e668 million in rolling capital allowances between now and 2015, was too important to be delayed.

Key areas of the draft city budget included a commitment to expand the successful Dublin Bikes Scheme by 1,500 bikes from its current level of 550.

Money was also made available for flood prevention measures, as well as a retention of general services without any cuts.