Tánaiste defends Government after EU draft report states Budget 'threatened recovery'
Tánaiste Joan Burton has today defended the Coalition's handling of the economy - despite disapproval from Europe.
A leaked draft of the European Commission's assessment of the recent Budget seen by the Irish Examiner said that the recovery "is threatened by recent decisions", which were "influenced by the current political context".
It also highlights how extra spending was being funded by surplus but "volatile" tax receipts.
Amid questioning in the Dáil, the Tánaiste insisted the Coalition was being prudent.
She said: "Can you not actually celebrate the fact that people and businesses are actually going back to work, that USC is coming down for people on incomes of between €25,000 and €70,000 - and it's capped at that level?
"What's irresponsible about that?"
