TODAY DURING LEADER’S questions, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said that it was “rich” of Fianna Fáil to state that the last two budgets implemented by the Fine Gael and Labour coalition government were unfair.

Fianna Fáil’s Finance spokesperson, Michael McGrath made assertions that the last few budgets were unfair and made the lowest income earners carry the burden.

Hypocrisy

Gilmore said: “It is utter hypocrisy of Fianna Fáil … you signed up to an agreement which prescribed what was in the budget for the next five years. You want to wipe history clean and say you had no hand, act or part to play”.

McGrath admitted that Ireland was making progress, but said low income earners could “not afford a repeat” of previous budgets.

The Tánaiste said the “economy is recovering” but admitted that some people have yet to experience it in their every day lives.

Improvements

He cited that 3000 jobs were being created each month, that the live register was at its lowest level since 2009 and that the exchequer receipts were on track to suggest Ireland is going to meet its deficit target for 2013 – for all of these reasons, he said, there is growth and  improvement.

He added that he would not be “tempted” into revealing budget figures prior to budget day.

Independent TD Stephen Donnelly said he would like an impact report to be circulated prior to the budget vote, that would give a breakdown as to the impacts that each socio-economic section of society would experience.

He asked that the Tánaiste to withdraw his support for the budget if it is found that lower income families are disproportionally affected.

Gilmore said that the budget would be “balanced and fair”.

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