Outspoken City Mayor Padraig Conneely has been told to "cool it" by one of his fellow councillors, amid fears that his blustering attitude could put even more pressure on the city's businesses.

Niall Ó Brolcháin.

Ahead of a pivotal meeting with Minister for Environment John Gormley, Green Party councillor Niall O Brolcháin has warned the mayor that his usual "bull in a china shop" antics could undo months of good work carried out by councillors during the year.

"Cllr Conneely has indicated his intention to go on a solo run and 'lash the Minister for the Environment' in a meeting that was set up by myself at the request of former Mayor Tom Costello on behalf of the council. Cllr Conneely had little or nothing to do with this process but could jeopardise months of hard work in an instant.

"In my time as Mayor, we managed to bring in the first budget for very many years where the commercial rates increase was lower than the rate of inflation. This was achieved as a team effort by councillors and officials. By reasoned argument and a quiet cross party approach, we managed to increase the Local Government fund from €8.67 million to €9.36 million in just one year. This was a 7.7 per cent increase and much higher than the expected increase to €8.86 million," said Cllr O Brolchain.

After being approached by former Mayor Tom Costello, Cllr O Brocháin arranged the meeting between Minister Gormley and Galway City Council to discuss the disputed Mutton Island funding and possible further increases to the local Government fund.

"I believe that some sort of compromise may be possible on the Mutton Island issue, such as bringing forward some of the €114 million that has been allocated by Minister Gormley for water services in Galway City over the next three years.

"However, Cllr Conneely's 'bull in a china shop' approach to negotiations will prevent reasoned argument taking place and is unlikely to succeed. If Cllr Conneely does not ease off on his megaphone diplomacy, it could cost the city dearly as any shortfall in funding would inevitably fall back on the ratepayers and may even lead to job losses," concluded Cllr O Brolchain.

However, Mayor Conneely hit back at the slurs, saying he was not surprised by Cllr O Brocháin's comments and blamed the councillor for not sorting out the funding situation himself.

"I wouldn't expect any less from Cllr O Brolcháin, as he is now a part of the Government and this is his minister. It is this government that has left Galway City severely under-funded in the areas of housing and infrastructure.

"What I will do when I meet with Minister Gormley is get down to straight talking, put the facts on the table and ask him to show me the colour of his money. Compared to Waterford and Limerick, Galway is completely underfunded," said Mayor Conneely.

"Cllr O Brolcháin is in Dublin working with the minister every week and if he had a word with the minister, then I wouldn't have to lead a delegation to try and get this much-needed funding. I have an obligation to try to get the most I can for this city, that's what I have been elected to do. We have been completely short-changed for 2007 and Cllr O Brolcháin is very aware of this because it is his government and his Minister. I will be asking the minister to step up and show me the money!"

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