Dublin's city councillors are likely to challenge Minister for the Environment, Noel Dempsey's threat to sack them if they do not agree to this year's budget.
The sticking point is wheelie-bin charges, which will be hotly contested when the councillors meet this week.
The spending estimates for the year have been held up by the controversy due to the proposed charge.
Minister Dempsey has set this Friday as the deadline for an end to the wrangling.
Many councillors have said that they would not accept a waste charge of between £90 and £150.
A decision will, however, have to be agreed upon by next Friday.