Donegal’s biggest public sector union has called for “cool heads” after the Donegal County Council 2014 budget shambles.
After going to the brink of being dissolved after failing to agree a budget, the council now has one last chance to agree a deal for the coming year.
In the early hours of this morning, Director of Services Liam Ward, told councillors they can come back next Monday and try to agree a resolution.
After last night’s debacle which has once again saw Donegal plunged into the political spotlight, the IMPACT trade union says now is the time for calm.
Union Official Richy Carrothers said as worrying as the news is, now is the time of for cool heads to prevail and to consider what has occurred and any implications.
“We represent hundreds of workers at Donegal County Council who worried about their future and my message this morning is that they have job protection under the Haddington Road Agreement.
“Our members are also tax payers and service users and need confirmation about the on-going delivery of services. The wider Donegal public also need guarantees about the delivery of services.
“From an IMPACT perspective services should continue to be delivered. As priority today, I will be meeting Senior Management at Donegal County Council seeking commitments following the events in Lifford,” he said.
But while some might hold out hope for some kind of budget agreement next Monday, the feeling today is not good.
Sinn Fein’s Mick Quinn was in defiant mood in the early hours of this morning.
“There is no point in coming back on January 13. There is little or no possibility of any flexibility in terms of additional resources,” he fumed.