A proposal and recommendation was put before councillors at yesterday's Monaghan County Council meeting that would keep Local Property Tax (LPT) at 15 per cent - the same level it has been for the last five years.
According to Cllr Paudge Connolly, who made a proposal to accept the recommendation, an additional €0.20 per week cost to local people will help ensure that community projects are funded and brought to fruition, such as the popular Rossmore Park attraction.
While the motion was unanimously supported by Independent, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil members of the council, all representatives of Sinn Féin did not support the motion, with concerns that local people are already "paying enough" in terms of increasing costs and inflation.
Pat Treanor criticised the motion, stating that it was something he just "could not support." Speaking in the council chambers, Cllr Treanor said that instead, 15 per cent should be "given to homeowners" who are being hit by major bills and "need a break."
Similarly, North Monaghan councillor, Cathy Bennett agreed with Cllr Treanor stating that she would "not accept" a 15 per cent LPT rate. Cllr Bennett said that the people of Monaghan had "been through enough" and instead additional funding should allocated by Government instead of local people. She added that anyone who supported the council's recommendation has "no respect" for the people of Monaghan.
Despite this, Cllr Connolly described Sinn Fein as "playing games" adding that the decision to maintain an increased rate of Local Property Tax has "never" been an issue with the public:
