Dublin City Council last night passed the budget for 2005 by 30 votes to 15, despite the inclusion of controversial increased bin charges.
Sinn Féin opposed passing the budget, as did the Independent councillors Mick Rafferty, Joan Collins, and Vincent Jackson. Labour councillors Eric Byrne and Emer Costello also opposed it.
Twelve Fianna Fáil councillors had been expected to abstain from the vote after losing control of the council following the last local elections. However a majority voted in favour of the budget following amendments.
These related to increased money for gulley-clearing and a pledge by the city manager Mr John Fitzgerald to review the efficiency of the waste management charges and the possible introduction of a tag system. This would involve charging by individual bins/bags.
The budget vote was supported by a majority of Labour, Fine Gael, and Fianna Fáil councillors as well as the only PD councilllor, Ms Wendy Hederman, and the only Green councillor, Ms Bronwen Maher.
A group of about 150 bin-charge protesters gathered outside the meeting at City Hall for two hours last night.