McBrearty says Mayor’s position is “untenable”

A Labour Donegal County councillor has today said the Mayor’s position has become untenable.

Frank McBrearty says he believes Mayor Brendan Byrne should “do the decent thing” and step aside.

His comments come as the furore over yesterday’s Budget meeting shows no sign of easing.

The 2010 Budget was passed yesterday with a quorom of ten Fianna Fáil councillors.

Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Labour and Independent councillors had sought an adjournment for talks on the reduction of commercial rates.

They were in discussions but were then informed the meeting had reconvened and the Budget has been passed in their absence.

Councillors have today been expressing their anger although Mayor Byrne maintains his conscience is clear and he had given clear notice the meeting would be reconvening at 5pm.

Frank McBrearty says he does not accept the explanation and says he feels from a moral stance, the Mayor’s position is now untenable.

Mr McBrearty stopped short of stating whether or not his party would be moving a vote of no confidence in the Mayor but said there will be “serious discussions” with his party on the legal aspect of yesterday’s events.