Fine Gael warn of worrying economic trends
Fine Gael's deputy leader has warned of worrying trends in Ireland's economic progress, following the release yesterday of the Exchequer figures.
Those figures show a surplus of €95m despite a forecast surplus of €170m.
Richard Bruton says the main reason for the surplus is extra charges heaped on businesses, which he said, they can ill afford.
He said that for the second year in a row the country is seeing tax revenues collapse compared to expectations, which he says leads to increased charges for the public.
"The Government is €1bn short on tax revenue and obviously part of that is the Minister's decision to give away Exchequer money to savers.
"I suppose the other thing you'd have to say is that the spending side of the Budget, the only reason it has come in on target is that the Government has imposed massive increases in charges.
"Right across the board you're seeing extra costs as a result of Government decisions."
