The increase to the bin tax in Dublin was passed last week in extremely unusual circumstances .
Three
Labour party councillors were absent some with excuse; a Fine Gael councillor broke with his party whip
and voted for the increase.
A tied vote was broken
when the Labour Mayor used his vote to pass the
increase, running against party policy. What followed
was the now all too typical sight of several parties
launching at each other to point fingers, and blame,
at whose action and inaction was to blame for this.
The Socialist Party attacked Sinn Féin, and Labour Youth condemned
their own mayor; who now faces expulsion from his
own party. The bin tax campaign has been the scene of
acrimonious attacks, with bitter words exchanged
repeatedly between the smaller left wing parties .
The environment minister Martin Cullen has earlier
threatened to shut down Dublin County Council if the
increased charges had not been passed.
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