Speculation rates may be increased

Comments by Cork county manager Martin Riordan have fuelled further speculation that he is about to raise rates for the first time in five years and led to a major row between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

At yesterday’s council meeting in County Hall, Cllr Tim Lombard (FG) proposed that the manager should not increase the burden on ratepayers for 2014 — which he has held off on doing for the past five years.

Fianna Fáil councillors smelt what they described as “a cynical new low” where he was “trying to curry favour” with businesses ahead of the local elections.