UPDATED: SINN FEIN leader on Donegal Council Mick Quinn says his party will oppose the budget.
“This Government has handed over our main asset to Irish Water.
“The budget which was passed here last year and was then reconvened last year in July for further discussion was cut again by 2.7 million, and I believe it will happen again this year if the budget is passed.
“Once again the staff in the council are being asked to provide more for less.
“The passing of this budget will result in job losses for those council workers involved in water works.
“The County has been devastated by unemployment but the worst crime has been emigration not one family hasn’t been affected by this scourge and not one member of this council hasn’t been affected by it or witnessed the devastating effects of it.
“We have the worst infrastructure in Ireland our roads are crumbling.
“We have one of the worst rates of youth employment in Ireland with nearly 50% of youths out of work,
“Third level education is no longer a right, it’s a privilege.
“Our role and our role as elected representatives is to stand up for the people who elected us and to stand up for them and our communities.
“The people of Donegal can’t take another austerity budget.
“I urge you all like Cllr Brogan to say enough is enough and let’s make a stand together and send out a message to say Donegal has had enough.
“I didn’t seek election to get a wage from the Donegal County Council.
“If by refusing to pass this budget results in me and the rest of the members here getting our P45 tonight for taking this stance so be it the people we stand for have lost a lot more.
Labour and independents to speak shortly – then the vote.
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