Tag Archives: Budget 2013

No Take-Backs

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore have ruled out any row-back on the budget in the light of growing unease among backbench TDs in both Government parties about some of its harsher measures, including cuts in the respite care grant.

The €325 cut in the €1,700 grant for respite care yesterday assumed greater importance as a possible stumbling block for some Labour and Fine Gael TDs.

The new property tax, the €5 a week increase in PRSI and particularly the cuts in child benefit were also being viewed as potentially difficult issues.

Mr Kenny, while accepting that many of the budget changes made to achieve a €3.5 billion adjustment were “unpalatable”, nevertheless insisted that all measures would be implemented.

You’ll take it. And you’ll like it.

Problem?

Kenny and Gilmore rule out any reverse to budget cuts (Harry McGee, Irish Times)

(Barry Cronin/Photocall Ireland)

The Live Budget Liveblog is Live

By Eoin Thing, parliamentary correspondent:

2.30 Minister Noonan is on his feet

2.34 Interesting point about the GDP ratio in real terms.

2.37 Something about pensions.

2.38 Lol

2.47 That’s not even English.

2.48 He’s been talking to the guys at Goldman.

2.49 7%!

2.50 7%?

2.51 7% so.

2.49 The markets won’t like that.

2.53 Or that

2.54 That’s going hurt the coping classes. The neurotic remain untouched (Again!)

3.00 What about the SMEs???

3.05 Ah

3.11 Howlin on his feet.

3.12 No, really.

3.15 One-stop shop for inferstructural reform? Risky but I like it.

3.20 Take that, Keynes!

3.25 Emphasis very much on growth and jobs and money.

3.33 Howlin promising further measures.

3.34 And a range of other expenditure targets to be met.

More to follow