Dublin City Council could be dissolved if councillors fail to pass the city's budget tonight in protest at changes in bin-collection charges that could see households face significantly increased costs.
The Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Roche, would have the power to dissolve the council and assume its responsibilities if the €3 billion budget is not agreed. He has declined to comment ahead of tonight's meeting.
Under the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Act the City Manager Mr John Fitzgerald has, in theory, the power to over-rule the council and impose the budget but, in practice, this is unlikely.
The bin charges were introduced amid public and political acrimony two years ago when only the casting vote of then lord mayor, Labour's Mr Dermot Lacey prevented then minister Mr Martin Cullen from carrying through his threat to assume power. The Council plans to introduce pay-by-volume charges at the start of 2005.
The Labour Party is the biggest group on the council with 15 of the 52 seats, and leader Cllr Kevin Humphreys wants the estimates to be endorsed, but ireland.com understands a number of the party's councillors intend to vote against the measure.
One Labour source said: "There is considerable opposition within the party and some councillors are prepared to oppose the estimates. They have reservations about the weekly charge and the flat charge ... and some are against waste charges in principle."
With Fianna Fail's 12 councillors due to abstain and ten Sinn Fein and three Independents likely to oppose the budget voting could be tight, and tonight's meeting could be adjourned without agreement.
Attempts will be made this evening to agree changes to the waste-charge regime such as an extension of the waiver scheme and more recycling facilities to help householders reduce the level of refuse left out for collection.
The new charges could see some householders paying as much as €600 in annual charges though Mr Fitzgerald insists those who recycle more could see their charge fall.