Letterkenny Town Councillors clash over ‘Municipal Districts’ motion

Letterkenny Town Councillors have clashed over a motion calling on Minister Phil Hogan to give real powers to the Municipal Districts being proposed to replace the Town Council system.
Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle said such a move is necessary to ensure that Letterkenny maximises the amount of income from rates that stays in the urban area.
However, Cllr Ciaran Brogan said to make such a request now is an indication that Letterkenny Town Council is throwing in the towel, and that’s the totally wrong signal to send.
Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle moved the proposal, based on a formula circulated by the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland. He says it reflects a political reality, and needs to be pursued.
However, Cllr Ciaran Brogan hit out at the proposal, saying he is disappointed at the AMAI, which up to recently had been talking about a legal challenge. Now, he says, the association appears to be capitulating to Minister Hogan.
He said to support this motion would be for Letterkenny Town Council to do the same thing, and that he could not do.
Cllr Brogan asked that the motion be withdrawn. When Cllr Mc Monagle declined to do so, Cllr Brogan moved a counter proposal.
When both went to a vote, Cllr Mc Monagle’s motion was passed by four votes to three.