Budget preparations to continue after Greens vote
The Cabinet is set to continue preparations for December's budget following the Green Party's decision at the weekend to remain in coalition with Fianna Fáil.
The party's membership voted by 84% to approve a new Programme for Government negotiated between the two sides over the past two weeks.
The Green members also rejected a motion aimed at blocking the implementation of the NAMA legislation.
The new Programme for Government includes a U-turn on the plan to re-introduce third-level fees, a commitment to hire 500 new teachers and a promise that the pupil-teacher ratio will not be increased any further.
Corporate donations to political parties will also be banned, as will fur-farming and stag-hunting, while a carbon tax will be introduced in the forthcoming budget.
The two sides have also agreed to introduce water charges which could reportedly cost every household around €175 a year, raising €200m per annum for the Exchequer.
Reports this morning say Fianna Fáil ministers expect the Greens to fully support this December's budget and to remain in government until 2012 in return for the concessions made during the recent negotiations.
| Related Stories: |
|
