Budget for Carrick-on-Shannon "pathetically small" and "an insult"

Cllr Des Guckian said that if members did not adopt the draft budgetary plan, "the chief executive officer may drive through the budgetary plan presented to us without amendment. This is totally undemocratic." 

Cllr Guckian was speaking after a presentation by Leitrim County Council head of finance, Vincent Dwyer regarding the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) for Carrick-on-Shannon was discussed at the most recent meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon municipal district.

For Carrick, the figure comes in at €42,639 and is brought before members ahead of the budget meeting in November. 

Mr Dywer advised members that this is the "preliminary review" and the budget process is still ongoing. 

Cllr Guckian continued that it was "a pathetically small sum of money which is an insult to us". 

He said: "There is no reference to river drainage which should be one of our most important concerns and I personally am rejecting such a miserable allocation which is backed up by a big cowardly threat."

Mohill river

Cllr Thomas Mulligan had previously asked if funds could be ring fenced to carry out works at Mohill river. "Can that be included?"

Mr Dwyer noted that funding river drainage and management will be dealt with at the main budget meeting. "We did increase that last year and are proposing to sustain that increase in 2024."

Responding to Cllr Guckian, Mr Dywer said that legislation regarding the CEO having final approval of the budget, is applicable in all local authorities. 

Cllr Sean McGowan said he welcomed the increase in funds, especially for Tidy Towns organisations through the county. 

He said that there is an allocation for a flood relief scheme for Mohill river adding that it is "very unsightly in the heart of Mohill."

Cllr Mulligan said flooding wasn't the issue and that, in his view, "we need to put in a small sum of money each year to allow for that."