Cork Council debates difficult budget

Cork City Councillors are discussing one of their most difficult annual budgets in recent years this evening.

The estimated spend for the year ahead will be discussed, and voted on in City Hall by the 31 elected members.

Entry to City Hall for the public is by ticket only, and a security firm has been hired to control access as protestors were expected outside.

This is the first budget of the "new council" elected in May, where Fianna Fáil are the largest party, followed by Sinn Féin and Fine Gael.

Chief exec Ann Doherty addressing the meeting. Says income streams are under pressures, while demand for services is increasing #corkcc

— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) November 17, 2014

She says as of Nov 1, 367 employees have left #corkcc and have not been replaced. Staff costs are down €17.7m since 2009

— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) November 17, 2014

CEO concludes by saying that the city's budget, for the second year in a row, contains no cuts to services #corkcc

— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) November 17, 2014

It is not clear if the budget will pass this evening, or if a second meeting might be needed.

Sinn Féin Cork Councillor Chris O'Leary has seen the book of estimates and has concerns over how the council's falling funds are being allocated.

"We will have a very challenging budget before us - there are difficulties here. We don't have enough investment to go into vital services, there is a question about value for money," he said.

"I would suspect that this could be a meeting that could go right through into the late hours this evening."

He said his party could not stand over a budget that did not "deliver for the people".