Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams, has criticised plans by Environment Minister, Martin Cullen, to abolish Dublin city council.
The Minister will appoint an administrator if the council fails to agree a budget for 2003 at it's meeting in Dublin tonight.
Gerry Adams says any threat to abolish the council will be a major blow for local democracy.
"This is the largest local democratic institution on the island and the Minster should not be suspending or standing down the council."