COUNCILLOR CONNOLLY OPPOSES CO COUNCIL BUDGET BECAUSE OF PROVISION FOR NEW OFFICES PROJECT

Independent North Monaghan councillor Paudge Connolly voted against the adoption by Monaghan Co Council of its Budget for 2021 on Tuesday, citing as his reason an expenditure provision of €200,000 made in respect of a proposal to construct new office premises for the local authority. Councillor Connolly, who was the only one of the 17 councillors present at the meeting to vote against the Budget’s adoption, expressed the view that the Council should “put the brakes on” in relation to the project at a time when they and the county faced pressures arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit.

The possibility of a new Co Council headquarters being developed on lands acquired by the local authority from the HSE at Rooskey in the centre of Monaghan Town is currently being investigated but no formal decision on whether to proceed with the project has yet been made. The plan is due to be considered at a meeting of the Co Council early in the New Year when it is expected…