There are unconfirmed reports that a pact among Sligo county councillors agreed after the last election could be facing difficulties.
It follows reported discontent among some councillors over the way colleagues voted on the local authority’s annual budget last December.
This year, it was only when members of Sligo County Council met for a third time that the budget was passed.
At the previous two budget meetings, Fine Gael councillors and others declined to support the budget, insisting those in the pact who shared council positions should do so.
Eventually, at the third meeting, councillors voted by 12 votes to 3 in favour of the budget . . . but only after the Fine Gael members of the council supported it.
Fianna Fáil councillors also voted for adoption, along with Independent councillors Joe Queenan and Michael Clarke.
Sinn Fein’s Chris MacManus and Thomas Healy voted against, as did Independent Socialist Cllr Declan Bree.
That was despite the pact or alliance between Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein, People Before Profit Councillor Gino O Boyle, Councillor Bree and Independent Joe Queenan.
That pact, in effect, sidelined Fine Gael on the council, despite the party having doubled its representation, from three to six councillors.
However, the councillors on the Left have always insisted that, despite the pact, they were allowed a free vote when it came to voting on the budget.
But now, however, the fallout from that budget vote could be about to haunt the council.
One source confirmed to Ocean FM News that the pact or alliance was ‘ropey at the moment.’
Under the pact, there were expectations that Sligo’s longest-serving councillor, Cllr Bree, would be the next cathaoirleach.
However, it’s now understood a Fine Gael councillor is seeking support for the position, which will be filled toward the middle of the year.
It also understood there are other positions to be filled by councillors.
In addition, a vacancy will arise on the council if, as speculated, Sinn Fein Councillor Chris MacManus takes the European Parliament seat held by Matt Carthy, who has now been elected to the Dail.
All in all . . .elections and council budget meetings may be over but interesting times could lie ahead for Sligo County Council, with the machinations behind the formation of a national government and the election of a Taoiseach not having a look-in.
For now, the March monthly meeting of the council is to take place on Monday . . . but that meeting is expected to be adjourned as a mark of respect to former councillor and cathaoirleach, John Sherlock, who died recently.
