DESPITE IT being €77million in the red. losing €7,000 a day and facing abolition, the Fine Gael members of Sligo County Council at its monthly meeting voted down a  motion tabled by Cllr Declan Bree proposing that the Standing Orders of the Council be suspended so as to allow councillors to discuss the financial crisis and the recent meeting with Environment Minister Phil Hogan.

In proposing his motion Cllr Bree said "The meeting with the Minister was hugely important, not only with regard to the Councils finances but also with regard to the future of the Council.
 
"In fact we have correspondence before us today from the Ministers office expressing his concern and pointing out that failure to adopt a balanced budget  has not only sever impacts on the community but can also result in the dissolution of the Council and the appointment of a Commissioner to carry out the Council’s functions.

"This is the most serious issue facing the Council for decades if not since it's foundation

I therefore propose: 'That Standing Orders be suspended to allow the Council to discuss the outcome of the meeting with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Mr Phil Hogan T.D. regarding the financial crisis in the Council, which took place in Dublin on the 31st of January.'

Cllr Bree's motion was defeated by 11 votes to 7 with 2 abstentions