Ireland’s government said it was
confident it would have the support to pass the toughest budget in the
country’s history next month..
“I am quite satisfied from my
discussions both with the parties in Government and the various public
representatives in Dáil Éireann that there is a majority for the budget and
that it will pass,” Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said.
His comments suggest the Government
may have secured the support of Independent TDs Jackie Healy-Rae and Michael
Lowry who had earlier signalled that they might not support the 2011 budget,
the first in a series of four required to adjust the public finances by $20
billion.
However, Mr Lowry said he had not
agreed to anything yet. “I’ve said that I’m unlikely to support the budget
and that position remains.”
“But obviously I can’t be definitive
about it until I’ve actually seen the details of the budget.”
With the backing of the two
Independents the Government would have a potential 82 supporters while the
Opposition will have a potential maximum of 80 if Sinn Féin Senator Pearse
Doherty is elected as TD for Donegal South West.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the Dáil
the Government’s four-year National Recovery Plan would help struggling members
of the public to plan ahead for their economic futures.
The 140-page plan published Wednesday
outlines a package of measures designed to reduce public spending by $13
billion and raise an extra $7 billion in taxes by 2014.
Mr Cowen said publishing the level
of adjustments over the next four years would bring certainty and stability. He
said the plan would provide a pathway to economic recovery for the country.
A sharp increase in taxation, deep
cuts in social welfare payments, a reduction in the minimum wage and a modest
property tax are among the elements in the plan. Tax relief on pensions will be
reduced dramatically and recipients of public sector pensions will face cuts
for the first time.
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