It’s not practical, in the present economic climate, for Roscommon county council to draw down an 18 million euro loan to build new civic offices in Roscommon town.

That’s the view of Ballaghaderreen based Sinn Fein councillor Michael Mulligan.

Divisions are emerging among councillors in the county over the upcoming approval of plans to develop the facility.
The 18 million euro project would see the local authority taking on a loan from the Department, which has already been sanctioned.
Ahead of next months vote on the matter, elected members appear to be split in their views.

Mr Ivan Connaughton, who ran for Fianna Fail in the last general election and is also an auctioneer in the town, believes that the build should be put on hold given the present crisis in local authority funding.
He says that the buildings, up to 8 in total, which are being rented by the Council at present provide valuable income to the owners of the properties.
Councillor Mulligan agrees and he told Midwest News that there are a number of more urgent projects in the county that should be funded, in the present economic crisis, rather than a new building.

He said Minister Hogan will shortly be announcing major reforms in local authorities and it's possible that following these changes Roscommon will not need a county council Headquarters.