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City budget meetings are either boring or fractious, but this one was a political masterclass.

Minister for local government, James Browne, is yet to receive a request from Galway City Council to approve its €60 million loan to fit out the empty commercial shell it owns in Crown Square.

According to industry quotes, this is likely to cost more than €200,000.

According to industry quotes, this is likely to cost more than €200,000.

If Storm Éowyn was an unwanted guest at Galway City Council’s table, his expensive tastes have racked up a bill so far of almost €15m, and – worryingly – the tab is still open.

If Galway’s City Council members do not hammer out a 2025 budget by midnight this Sunday, December 15, the Minister for Local Government may sack the city’s councillors and replace them with an unelected commissioner instead.

Galway City Council aims to hire 50 new staff in 2025 if councillors adopt a contentious budget dependent on local tax increases, building a workforce of 630.

If Galway improves its status to a Tier 4 city, its funding from central government could increase by up to €8.52m per year. Over the lifetime of a 5-year council, this adds up to a hefty €42.6 million – roughly 20 per cent more than Galway City Council currently receives from central government.

Galway City councillors unanimously passed a record €121.3m budget this week, but tempers frayed during the annual money meeting on Monday.