Rabbitte alleges Budget leaks in bid to woo voters
The Government deliberately leaked specific details of the Budget in a bid to woo voters ahead of next year’s general election, the Dáil heard today.
Yesterday’s big-spending measures by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen trimmed the top income tax rate by 1% and delivered increased supports for pensioners, families and first-time home buyers.
However, Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte today told the Dáil that the Budget lacked imagination and specifically targeted sections of the electorate.
He said: “The Government deliberately and calculatedly leaked the substantial contents over the days immediately preceding the Budget.
“Different audiences were targeted day by day. The rhetoric was downbeat but the headlines were very large.”
He added during Dáil statements on the Budget: “There was no imagination, just a safe targeting of interest groups that might show an electoral dividend.”
Earlier, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern denied claims that Mr Cowen’s third Budget had been too generous and could fuel inflation. He insisted it was prudent and restrained and positioned the economy for further growth.
“The Budget is an entirely responsible one designed not to overheat the economy and to give a substantial safety margin if the existing environment should disimprove,” he said.
“External conditions permitted, uninterrupted momentum can be maintained through next year and beyond providing our broad strategy is adhered to.”
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has accused the Government of using the Budget to deal with the incompetence of the past rather than planning for the future.
Mr Kenny also said the Taoiseach and his ministers were simply subsidising problems rather than solving them.
“The Government has spent the last 10 years wasting billions of euro in public money, as well as squandering opportunities to make real improvements to people’s lives.”
Mr Kenny also accused the Government of failing to use the Budget to deal with Ireland’s energy needs and problems.
Sinn Féin said the Budget increases the inequality between the low-paid and high earners.
Trade and employment spokesman Arthur Morgan told the Dáil: “People below the average industrial wage will gain about €8 a week compared to twice that amount for those earning €35,000 euro a year.”
