We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome to Budget day on TheJournal.ie.
Today we’ll bring you all the announcements from Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin, as well as crunching the numbers on what it means for everybody’s hip pockets.
Leave your thoughts in the comments section, tweet at us (@thejournal_ie) or mail us on tips@thejournal.ie.
Is it an omen? It was a seriously icy start to Budget day 2016 this morning and temperatures aren’t expected to top 14 degrees as the day goes on. At least it’s unlikely to rain on the Noonan-Howlin parade…
It’s Peter Bodkin in the chair for the lead-up to today’s main game ahead of Michael Noonan taking centre stage at around 2pm.
We’ll be looking at what’s expected in this year’s Budget, bring you all the announcements as they come to hand and then pull apart the figures to work out what they mean to you.
The customary drip-feed of Budget leaks has already given us the shape of what to expect in this year’s announcement. Here’s a quick recap of what we (think we) know so far:
So the tax on cigarettes is probably going up, as it does almost every Budget, and another excise increase on booze has been mooted. But what else would you stick a tax on?
Dublin radio station Spin 1038 has been inviting readers to come up with their own ideas and there are a few solid suggestions rolling in:
Jennifer Stevens / TwitterOn budget day here are the #thingsidtax
— Jennifer Stevens (@JennifStevens) October 13, 2015
Flesh colour tights with a sheen, people who don't understand roundabouts, crappy hotel hairdryers
Our reporter Daragh Brophy is on the scene near Leinster House, where gardaí are already getting ready for some action on the streets later in the day.
Daragh Brophy / TwitterGarda barriers in place ahead of expected Budget Day protests. pic.twitter.com/O09J3XWnyb
— Daragh Brophy (@DaraghBroph) October 13, 2015
And those anticipated crowds are already starting to build. Well, sort of…
Daragh Brophy / TwitterTwo protesters here so far. pic.twitter.com/Jts55pzMNm
— Daragh Brophy (@DaraghBroph) October 13, 2015
For the punters out there who don’t enjoy hearing politicians talking deficits and fiscal responsibility, there’s TheJournal.ie’s Budget Bingo 2016.
You can download your cards here to ensure this year’s tax- and spend-fest isn’t an entirely craic-free zone.
We know the price of cigarettes is likely to jump a hefty 50c per pack after the Budget, but is the talk about tobacco taxes all smoke and mirrors?
Our Dan Mac Guill delved into the facts behind the spin to find out how much difference tobacco taxes really make to smoking rates – and whether they actually bring in the promised cash for the government.
What would you do if you were Michael Noonan or Brendan Howlin and you found yourself with a spare €1.5 billion to play with? Besides lighting cigars with €100 bills, of course. That’s the question we asked our readers with Ignite Research’s People’s Budget.
Out of more than 5,000 respondents, the vast majority wanted the razor taken to income taxes and the cash to be splurged on the country’s creaking health system, as well as education.
There was a strong response when we asked what the one thing you wanted to see in today’s Budget. No prizes for guessing that USC and income taxes featured prominently, while others favoured better services over an extra fiver in their pocket.
One reader, Peter, had plenty to say:
They have me feeling like I’m getting a birthday card with a few quid in it today I DON’T WANT IT. Spend it on getting people off trollies, crime & homelessness. Withdraw legal aid for anyone who has used it twice. Reduce politicians salaries by 35% & let them pay the majority of their expenses just like the rest of us, we would then see who is in it to change the world.”
While Trevor Beale was more succinct:
Stop penalising someone that gets up in the morning to go to work!”
Yes, it’s definitely that time of year again.
It’s being widely reported this morning that free GP care will be extended in the Budget to cover older children, although the upper age limit isn’t clear.
The Irish Times says the measure will cover all children under 12, while RTÉ claims free visits to the doctor will be limited to the under-11s.
Our political editor, Hugh O’Connell, reports that it’s strangely quiet around Leinster House as it approaches midday given “the day that’s in it”. The number of protesters on hand has swelled by 50% though in the past hour. Here’s the view from the front line:
The car park on the Kildare Street side is mostly empty, with TDs and Senators still travelling up from the country this morning. RTÉ has set up its outside broadcast facilities in the portico leading into LH2000, the newer part of the Oireachtas complex. Outside the gates, the barriers are up and the gardaí are stationed but there was a grand total of three protesters there when we passed it a short time ago.”
TheJournal Politics / TwitterAll quiet outside Leinster House. So far #budget16 pic.twitter.com/ZaTGgRVS7U
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) October 13, 2015
It looks like this year’s Budget is going to sit somewhere between an election-buying “splurge” and a “marginal giveaway”, based on a quick international whip around in advance of the announcement.
The Financial Times’ Vincent Boland reports Noonan is expected to “add fuel to the fire” of a growing economy with the expected €1.5 billion stimulus:
As the feelgood factor becomes more obvious and with an election due by the spring, there is arguably nothing the government needs to do as it prepares to go to the polls.”
Over at the Guardian, Henry McDonald writes that “prime minister” Enda Kenny’s government is “widely expected to introduce the first marginal giveaway budget since the crash”.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s Joe Brennan reports Noonan will “fire the starting gun in the nation’s election campaign as he unveils the biggest budget giveaway since the Celtic Tiger era ended”.
Premier Enda Kenny’s government has won kudos from German Chancellor Angela Merkel to President Barack Obama for leading the nation out of its worst recession on record, bringing the public finances under control and falling bond yields. With voters largely unimpressed, his coalition is set to further stoke the fastest-growing economy in the euro region even as Kenny promises prudence.”
Not much on the Twitter machine today from Ireland’s political leaders as the Budget storm clouds continue to gather. Even Sinn Féin’s social media-loving leader has been remarkably quiet since last night.
Gerry Adams / TwitterI hardly tweeted at all 2day. Just saying. Oiche mhaithxozzzzzxo
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) October 12, 2015
This in the comments from Frainc Ó Broin: “One extra bag of chips per year for me, a giveaway budget indeed!” But will it be Tayto or Hunky Dorys for you Frainc?
Thanks to the pre-Budget leaks we already knew an increase in the minimum wage was on the way, but further confirmation coming in with a “signing ceremony/photocall” to be held after the speeches are all done.
We know plenty about what WILL be in the Budget, but earlier this week Daragh Brophy had a look at a few things that definitely WON’T be there when he flashed back to Brian Cowen’s boom-time speech from a decade ago.
Billion-euro increases to welfare, €1,000 payouts for children under 6 and a huge pledge to take minimum wage workers out of the tax net altogether. Sure, what could possibly go wrong?
It appears the Fine Gael-Labour coalition is at odds about Alan Kelly’s plan to introduce rent controls (sorry Alan, “rent certainty”) as part of the Budget. The move has been flagged for months as accommodation prices, particularly in Dublin, continue to lose the run of themselves.
Newstalk Lunchtime / TwitterOn air now: Shane Coleman on #budget16 "The government parties can't agree on rent control. That will be a big sticking point"
— Lunchtime Live (@LunchtimeLiveNT) October 13, 2015
More from Hugh O’Connell on the mood in Leinster House, where one cabinet minister claimed it was a “terrific” Budget:
They’ve got almost everything they asked for and they were visibly delighted that the government is at last in a position to deliver something back to taxpayers. There’s definitely an optimism among government members this year compared to the fraught budgets of previous years where backbenchers in particular have grappled with their conscience, some deciding to defy their party, others deciding to suck it up and vote with the government.”
A few more highlights of what we can expect in just over an hour, aside from the headline cuts to USC and increases to some welfare benefits:
In non-Budget news, former Anglo CEO David Drumm will face 33 charges including forgery and conspiracy to defraud if he’s successfully extradited from the US to Ireland. Here’s a copy of the arrest warrant, which describes him as a “fugitive from foreign country”.
And this in from Waterford Whispers. We know how you feel Michael.
WWN / TwitterWWN #Budget16: Min. for Finance confirmed to WWN earlier today that he always fells 'like a fucking rockstar on budget days'.
— WWN (@WhispersNewsLTD) October 13, 2015
Peter is off to have some well-deserved grub so Sinéad O’Carroll here taking over for the last 30 minutes of speculation, guesswork and waiting.
Chat in the office right now while listening to Mary Lou McDonald on RTÉ Radio One:
Imagine if they abolished water charges.
Much of the commentary about today is how it will be a giveaway budget. And, it’s obviously harder to keep ‘good news’ under wraps while looking for votes.
All these leaks makes Budget Day a little less exciting for some, like Annie West above. It’s kind of like finding the Santa presents early, right? We don’t think there are any surprises left. Unless there is still a lump of coal hiding for us somewhere.
The Irish Independent is reporting that the recruitment of 600 new gardaí will be announced later.
After a terrible weekend for the force, it was almost too soon for the GRA to focus on low garda numbers and rural station closures but that will most likely be a welcome piece of news for morale.
Initial reaction from a GP about the extension of the free GP care scheme to children up to the age of 11 or 12… and it’s not positive:
Amy Morgan / TwitterSo even the IMO weren't made aware of the extension of the free GP care scheme. This cloak & daggers approach to health policy MUST change.
— Amy Morgan (@amymorgangp) October 13, 2015
Amy Morgan / TwitterUnless the Government are only concerned with populist health policies, carry on, there'll be no GP's left to implement them #budget16
— Amy Morgan (@amymorgangp) October 13, 2015
Another tidbit from Hugh O’Connell in Leinster House:
One mischievous Labour TD says the Budget is so good that his former colleague Colm Keaveney, now of Fianna Fáil, is planning to rejoin Labour. We doubt Keaveney would look at it that way.
Our roving reporter Daragh Brophy was in Buswells this morning, the hotel located just opposite Leinster House to find out what being the unofficial hub of Irish politics means for its owners and management.
Budget Day though is often easier than protest days, as general manager Paul Gallagher revealed:
Another day, there was a demonstration against the removal of horses from county council lands out on the northside. They all came in with their Piebald ponies and things and hooked them all up to the fence outside. Some of them got scared, and the fence disappeared.
He has even been pelted with eggs himself, he points out. “So it’s an interesting hotel. I was standing in front of a guy I didn’t realise was behind me. They weren’t aiming at me. You have to be careful who’s behind you in this world.”
The final countdown…
The photocall is underway with Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin.
Howlin, unsurprisingly, in the red of Labour (tie wise), while the Finance Minister has gone for a grey/silver option*.
Dept of Finance IRL / TwitterMinister Noonan at the pre-Budget photocall with Minister Howlin.Minister Noonan will begin speaking at 2pm #Budget16 pic.twitter.com/ktl5wwvoZr
— Department of Finance (@IRLDeptFinance) October 13, 2015
*Someone in the office suggested it was champagne-coloured but that would be too Bertie for Noonan, we feel.
And the latest from Leinster House, where the lads are looking THRILLED with themselves.
The Budget documentation has arrived in Leinster House ready to be distributed to TDs, Senators and, of course, us journalists. Outside our office is a Department of Finance official nervously guarding the documentation until he can distribute it as soon as Michael Noonan takes to his feet.
Before the business of the Budget gets underway, the Taoiseach is expressing his sympathies and extending his prayers to the Lynch and Connors families, particularly the two children orphaned in the catastrophic fire in Carrickmines on Saturday.
Enda Kenny also speaks of the heinous crime which saw Garda Tony Golden lose his life in the line of duty on Sunday evening in county Louth.
Tánaiste Joan Burton also calls the weekend “horrific and desperate”, adding that the events in Omeath and Carrickmines were even more tragic because of the backdrop of what should have been a celebratory weekend for Ireland, with reference to sporting events.
This would be one way to win votes.
WWN / TwitterWWN #Budget16: free tickets to this year's Late Late Toy Show was on the cards, but Government decided against it.
— WWN (@WhispersNewsLTD) October 13, 2015
Following the Taoiseach’s words, Micheál Martin also mentions Garda Tony Golden’s GAA career with Stephenites in Ballina.
He commends him for his bravery and valour, noting that his last act was to help a vulnerable in the line of duty.
Gerry Adams also stands to pay his respects to the communities “numb with shock and disbelief” after the weekend’s events.
He names each of the victims of the Carrickmines fire and expressed condolences to the entire Traveller community.
“That solidarity has to be extended beyond rhetoric,” he adds, asking government to prioritise living accommodation for Travellers. He also mentions the homeless man who died in Dublin’s city centre on Sunday morning.
“He is a hero,” Adams says of Garda Tony Golden.
He also has strong words about the shooter, known dissident Adrian Mackin who also took his own life in the shooting incident.
Four years ago, so-called dissidents killed PSNI’s Ronan Kerr. His mother said we all need to stand up and be counted. We don’t want to go back to the dark days of fear and terror. She was right four years ago and she is right again today.
“These groups have nothing to offer society,” he added. “These people are the enemies of Republicanism and the peace process.”
However, there are some grumblings in the Chamber as the Sinn Féin president brings up the issue of alleged political policing among the PSNI and gardaí. He responds saying that these are questions for another day.
A sombre moment…
A minute’s silence is now underway in the Dáil as politicians rise to the feet to pay their respects to the 10 people who died in Carrickmines on Saturday and to Garda Tony Golden who was killed on Sunday.
“May they rest in peace,” An Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett concludes.
About 30 minutes later than scheduled, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has been called…
And Finance Minister Michael Noonan is on his feet to begin the Budget speech, getting a bit literary with his references to the 1916 Rising as he talks up the economic recovery since the government took office.
Peter Bodkin back in the driver’s seat here from Sinéad O’Carroll to take you through the Budget paces.
“Fastest-growing economy in Europe” – was that one on your Budget Bingo 2016 picks? Noonan got it out of the way early, setting out the Finance Department’s forecast of 4.3% economic growth in 2016.
“The economy has recovered all the output lost during the crisis,” the Finance Minister says, with an extra 43,000 jobs expected this year.
Want to keep track of all the major Budget announcements in one place? Cianan Brennan is compiling the information you need almost as soon as it emerges from the ministers’ mouths.
Click here for everything you need to know from the Budget speeches.
And there we have mention of the end of boom to bust policies, that old chestnut.
Muireann O'Dwyer / Twittertuned in just in time for the end to boom and bust #budget16 oh dear.
— Muireann O'Dwyer (@Mergito) October 13, 2015
Noonan says Ireland’s national debt is expected to fall to just under 93% of GDP by end of 2016, below the European average.
Noonan says this Budget will include €750 million in “revenue relieving measures”, a cost partially offset by a single revenue-raising measure.
That would be the heralded 50c excise increase on a pack of 20 cigarettes, effective from midnight tonight. ”This is the only tax increase in this Budget,” Noonan adds.
Gavan Reilly / TwitterCigarette increase will be the only tax increase in #budget16, says Noonan. Your fizzy drinks are safe
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) October 13, 2015
And there’s the headline announcement, the expected cuts to USC.
The bottom rate of 1.5% will be reduced to 1%, the second rate from 3.5% to 3% and the next from 7% to 5.5%, while the bands at which they kick in will also be tweaked slightly.
Noonan said it was the first time since April 2009 the top marginal tax rate would be brought under 50% and it was expected some 700,000 income-earners would be outside the USC net altogether.
The tweaks to the tax brackets will mean a single-income family on €35,000 will take home an extra €57 a month, while those working full-time on minimum wage will have an extra €708 per year.
The inheritance tax threshold will also be raised from €225,000 to €280,000.
So wins all around for families, minimum-wage workers… and people inheriting money.
Noonan moves on to the tax perks for businesses, adding he has been consulting with the SME and startup sectors.
One will be a “new earned income tax credit” to the value of €550 for self-employed workers who didn’t have access to the PAYE tax credit and therefore paid significantly higher rates of tax.
“I see this measure as a first step and future steps will be made in future budgets as resources permit,” Noonan says, adding it would benefit small businesses, farmers and tradespeople.
Other business-friendly measures include a cut in the rate of Capital Gains Tax, down from 33% to 20% to a limit of €1 million on business assets that were sold.
The government is also extending three-year tax relief for startups for another three years until end of 2018, while the discount 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector will also stay… for now.
Noonan notes the case for retaining the benefit in the booming Dublin hotel sector “is diminishing each year”.
Fidelma Healy Eames / TwitterGlad to see new rate of 20% CGT for businesses and the retention of 9% vat in tourism sector. #Budget16
— Dr. Fidelma Healy Eames (@fidelma4Europe) October 13, 2015
Shouting and interruptions in the chamber as Noonan announces bad bank Nama will build 20,000 units by the end of 2020.
“Have you got a problem?,” the Finance Minister asks his opponents. They might have to finish this one behind the sheds at break.
The Institute of Technology, Sligo’s Students’ Union finding ways to enjoy themselves during the Budget speech here.
Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin on his feet now as Noonan departs to applause from his government stablemates – and jeers from the opposition benches.
TheJournal.ie / Twitter"Would you ever stay quiet and cut out the comedian stuff," says the Ceann Comhairle to the Opposition TDs. #budget16
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) October 13, 2015
“The days of spending cuts are behind us,” Howlin says as he launches into the rhetoric, paying tribute to “the resilience of the Irish people”.
Howlin launches into a spiel about the ”unnecessary and cruel” cut of €1 per hour to the minimum wage under the previous government.
That’s the lead-in for him to announce the introduction of the predicted 50c increase in the rate, as recommended by the Low Pay Commission. So from January 1, the minimum wage will stand at €9.15 per hour.
So a bit of a recap as Howlin continues his spiel about the government’s spending plans. We had:
Howlin making the pitch to “hard-working parents” now, first off the block: childcare.
Free childcare will be available to children from the age of 3 up to 5 1/2, or whenever they toddle off to primary school.
Child benefit will also be raised €5 to €140 per month thanks to the government’s ”success in reducing unemployment”, Howlin says.
The government will also recognise the ”role of fathers in the household”, with dads getting two weeks of paternity leave from September next year.
And the next piece in the voter pitch, the extension of free GP care to cover all children under 12.
Although Howlin attaches a caveat to that plan – it’s ”subject to successful negotiation with the doctors’ representatives”. Hmmm…
This marks the next phase in the implementation of Universal GP care,” the minister goes on.
In case you missed it, here’s a recap of the Finance Minister’s “have you got a problem?” moment from earlier. You can take the boy out of Limerick…
More spending plans from Howlin: 600 extra gardaí will be recruited next year, while €414 million will be allocated to social housing.
However the minister has raised a few eyebrows with his priorities, allocating €17 million to emergency accommodation for the homeless, compared to €50 million for “extensive range of events” to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising.
keith bohanna / TwitterWhile emergency housing allocation is €17M. Priorities arseways #budget16 https://t.co/N7syoKuVQt
— keith bohanna (@keithbohanna) October 13, 2015
Howlin winds up with a few jibes aimed at the left-wing elements of the Dáil as he talks up the government’s emergence from the depths of the bailout.
“Who speaks of Syriza now?,” he says amid much jeering from rival TDs.
Fianna Fáil’s finance spokesman, Michael McGrath, on his feet now and he starts with a well-rehearsed one liner:
This budget is the final roll of the dice from a government that has run out of ideas and is about to run out of road.”
He highlights the 1,500 children sleeping in emergency accommodation and 500,000 on hospital waiting lists as among the government’s failings.
I could go on and I regret that I see nothing about his budget that will make a real difference to these people.”
That’s Peter signing off, for now. Sinéad O’Carroll taking over again as TDs on the Opposition benches get their chance to highlight what is wrong with today’s Budget.
McGrath continues… telling Brendan Howlin that his comments in relation to housing and accommodation were “nothing short of pathetic”.
In a speech highly critical of today’s “self-congratulatory” announcements, he says Ireland remains vulnerable because of the lack of stability in the global economy.
As McGrath continues his criticism, let’s have a quick recap of the main points from today’s announcements:
The reaction is pouring in.
Despite it being a so-called ‘giveaway’ budget, there is one group of people disappointed. Those under the age of 25 without jobs saw their social welfare cut during the recession. It currently stands at €100 per week and will not be changed in Budget 2016.
The National Youth Council of Ireland says its proposals would have ”supported young people on live register to move into education, training and work experience”.
NYCI / TwitterWe are very disappointed with the budget for the 40,000 young jobseekers-no movement at all to reverse savage cuts #budget16
— NYCI (@nycinews) October 13, 2015
The Opposition parties are all focussing on homelessness, criticising Howlin and Noonan for not doing enough to ease the current crisis.
From the SocDems Twitter account:
Social Democrats / Twitter€50m for events on commemorations - v €17m on homelessness...how would the signatories feel about that? #Budget16
— Social Democrats (@SocDems) October 13, 2015
“Splash the cash…”
Fianna Fáil’s Seán Fleming says that the government is mismanaging the State’s income because it always has extra money in the last two months of the year.
He also asks if today’s extra expenditure is a way to “buy the general election”?
Then, inevitably, he begins to crunch the homeless numbers. He says that it was quite the achievement that Fianna Fáil turned a housing surplus to a housing shortage.
Modular homes could turn parts of the city into trailer parks, according to Fleming.
TheJournal.ie / TwitterFunding for 500 modular homes to tackle homelessness #Budget16
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) October 13, 2015
We’ve heard a lot about modular housing in recent weeks. What does it mean?
About 150 factory-built houses (essentially, prefabs) are due to be ordered to help provide accommodation for Dublin’s homeless.
Fancy a bit of light reading? Here’s Michael Noonan’s speech in full…
And not to leave him out… here’s Brendan Howlin’s speech.
Back to the Dáil..
Fleming is having a real go over the disappearance of ministers who have all left the house to hold media briefings in their departments.
Are you gone canvassing? Are you got nervous again? Is Joan happy with her €3 increase?” he asks.
He says it is a sign of the contempt Fine Gael and Labour hold for the parliament.
Fleming wasn’t exaggerating about those empty seats, as you can see.
There’s Enda Kenny in the corner though…
TheJournal Politics / TwitterGovernment benches almost completely empty as opposition parties have their say on #budget16 pic.twitter.com/A8LMN010u3
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) October 13, 2015
Have you figured out what Budget 2016 means for you?
Try our Budget calculator to find out…
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty now takes to his feet – it’s his turn to rip into the announcements made today.
“Along comes the boom, then followed by the bust,” he says, telling the government that its plans are not sustainable.
The Taoiseach is still facing him, but nobody else from Cabinet.
We should have included the 1916 heroes in our Budget Bingo. Doherty is not the first to ask if the men and women from the Easter Rising would be happy with what they see in Ireland today.
Was it for this…etc?
From next year, Irish schools will have 2,260 more teachers. That’ll be broken down as:
Do you earn about €20,000?
We’ve crunched the numbers for you – and this is how Budget 2016 will affect your pay packet.
The big one: Adjustments to USC mean an extra €172 a year, or €3.44 more a week.
The SocDems haven’t got a chance to talk in the Dáil yet, but they’re doing their best to rip the Budget to shreds on Twitter.
Social Democrats / TwitterThe prescription charge has not been touched #taxonsickpeople #Budget16 #SocDems
— Social Democrats (@SocDems) October 13, 2015
Social Democrats / TwitterGov give €3 a week to pensioners but don't restore the telephone allowance - so the money given with one hand goes out in other #budget16
— Social Democrats (@SocDems) October 13, 2015
Social Democrats / TwitterEven more astonishing is ZERO provision for Mental Health Services despite a youth suicide rate that's 2.5 times the EU average #budget16
— Social Democrats (@SocDems) October 13, 2015
Earlier, we weren’t *quite* sure what colour Michael Noonan’s tie was. We went for grey/silver/champagne but there were some shouts that it was brown.
What do you think?
As usual, Paddy Power took bets on what colour the Finance Minister would wear on his neck but even the experienced bookies couldn’t make out the hue.
So, they just paid everybody who placed a bet.
An interesting change … Ireland in 2016
Olivia Mitchell / TwitterGood to see the 'John and Mary' budget examples of a married couple are this year 'Claire and Michelle' pic.twitter.com/BhU69dTL8m
— Olivia Mitchell (@oliviamitchelo) October 13, 2015
Don’t want to read everything on Budget 2016? Our Nicky Ryan has you sorted.
TheJournal.ie / TwitterNeed to catch up on #Budget16? These are the main points http://t.co/MVuXcXjAif pic.twitter.com/KkuNOUtb1G
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) October 13, 2015
Can’t see the video? Click here.
Pearse Doherty has dialled up the anger big time when talking about homelessness and income inequality in the Dáil.
He is calling strongly for a national emergency to be declared.
His ire is directly mostly at Labour, saying they have forgotten their roots and have become Fine Gael’s biggest champions.
“You have become more Fine Gael than Fine Gael themselves,” he tells Joan Burton.
Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald takes the stand now – and sticks to the party line that Fine Gael has a friend in the Tories in the UK and Angela Merkel in Germany.
A joint press release – Department of Health giving equal credit to Fine Gael’s Leo Varadkar and Labour’s Kathleen Lynch for “securing substantial increase in health budget”.
Election, anyone?
We’re already getting some international coverage – but it’s not positive. A headline on the New York Times today:
In their story, Douglas Dalby and Mark Scott write:
The Irish government, long criticized by other European countries and the United States for its friendly tax treatment of multinational giants like Apple and Google, on Tuesday announced a move that seemed likely to further incense its critics.
And we just can’t stop talking about that election, it seems.
Hugh O'Connell / TwitterInteresting: Former FG TD Denis Naughten, a possible post-election coalition ally, broadly welcomes #budget16 pic.twitter.com/5WW1Ca7vGU
— Hugh O'Connell (@oconnellhugh) October 13, 2015
Meanwhile, Mary Lou asks Enda to go to the polls. She says: “Joan will get over it.”
It’s now the turn of EVERYONE ELSE in the Dáil. They’ll all just get five minutes each – and they’re insisting on a clock.
Stephen Donnelly is up first… and, yes, the first thing on his agenda is housing.
He says that the tax cuts benefit the highest-earning homes. He believes the mistakes of the past are being repeated.
If you’re in and around the average industrial wage, this is what the government have decided for your income. Not surprisingly, it’s good news.
We told you how animated Pearse Doherty got earlier. Now see it for yourself.
That snippet from Brendan Howlin’s Budget speech is making waves internationally. From Bloomberg:
Paul Murphy / TwitterInspired and utterly unpredictable humdinger coming up at end. Oh you very smart and funny Labour ppl. #budget16 pic.twitter.com/GTC1KZIHnb
— Paul Murphy 🏳️⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) October 13, 2015
Ruth Coppinger calls the speaking time situation “ridiculous” as she tries to finish a sentence but the Ceann Comhairle insists she sit down and not to be selfish.
So as they mutter to themselves, Paul Murphy takes the stand to call today’s Budget Fine Gael’s fifth regressive budget.
For the average worker, he said, their extra €5 will go to pay their water charges (if they pay them).
Paul Murphy also takes issue with the ‘knowledge box’ which he insists is just another way to further reduce rates of corporation tax.
“The only beneficiaries are the multinationals,” he says.
Meanwhile, IDA Ireland is delighted with the development.
IDA Ireland / TwitterIreland introduces the world's first OECD-compliant knowledge development box (KDB) with rate of 6.25% pic.twitter.com/mvxP0WDMQO
— IDA Ireland (@IDAIRELAND) October 13, 2015
Clare Daly says today is an example of the disconnect between Leinster House and reality. She adds that it is an exercise in robbing from Peter to pay Paul.
“They thought you represented a different Ireland but you’ve turned out to be the same,” she told Labour and Fine Gael.
Are you a winner or loser today? Cliodhna Russell takes a look…
Clare Daly makes a point:
Those 700,000 people who no longer have to pay USC… what does that mean? They live on €13,000 or less a year.
“I am astounded at the unreality at what we are presented with today. There are few people who remember 1977. Fianna Fáil bought themselves back into government… this is exactly what is happening again,” Shane Ross begins his five minutes.
This is the beginning of the next artificial boom, tailored to various interest groups.
It is a budget for Fine Gael, he adds.
Mick Wallace sounds totally put out about the plan for Nama – the bad bank – to turn developer and build 20,000 housing units.
He pleads with the government to build social housing, saying that the private sector cannot solve the problem. Especially considering that private developers cannot compete with Nama or US vulture funds.
And we’re done.
Inspired by Spin 1038′s #ThingsIdTax hashtag, DailyEdge.ie has come up with some inventive ways that Ireland could have raised some income. Including:
The ‘crying laughing’ emoji…
And food that is served on anything other than on a plate or in a bowl…
Before we take our leave… here’s another quick recap of what went down today. You decide: foolish, giveaway budget or
And if you need to figure out exactly what today means for your wallet, check out our Advanced Budget Calculator.
That’s all from the Liveblog. Thanks for joining us, leaving comments, sending tweets and keeping us company through that long day.
A special shout-out to Tayto for sending us an enormous amount of Tayto (obviously) to get us through the day. The office smells accordingly.
Some day, hopefully we’ll see the USC and the wine tax off. But for now, good night and good luck.
So if they do stay in the customs Union what exactly has the last 20 odd months being all about?
@P.J. Nolan: what was the point of the whole referendum if they were just going to dismiss the largest vote in the history of British democracy, which is now dead.
@Danny Tagert: another referendum, ironically, would be extremely democratic. It would take the current will of the people into account after 20 months of brexit education.
@P.J. Nolan: They basically said ‘we’ll negotiate’, the EU didn’t crack as they expected (delusion and entitlement there), so they said the EU wasn’t being reasonable. The law said there was no impasse to this, the EU weren’t going to give in against their own interests and rightly so. The UK govt said they were waiting for a solution to pop up. There wasn’t and isn’t one. So basically the UK went into negotiations and dragged it out before accepting that there wasn’t a solution. If hey left customs union they’d need a hard border. Both options were unacceptable. The referendum’s question was too general and not planned properly.
@P.J. Nolan: The vote was for either staying in or out of the EU. Staying in the single market or the customs union was never mentioned. The people were not given all the facts about leaving the EU.
@Danny Tagert:
In fairness Danny lies were told on both sides, surely another vote now that the position is clearer is true democracy?
@P.J. Nolan: Referenda in the uk are non binding. They can just ignore it….
@Shougeki:
Theoretically yes but in reality no, especially given the waifer thin majority even including DUPes.
Britain have a brexit plan? Either way, Theresa Maybe will be under the bus (metaphorically speaking).
@Brian Lilly: That’s what she’s there for. A Brexit prophylactic for her betters.
@Brian Lilly:
Everyone in Ireland seems to dislike Teresa May.- Everything she does is wrong. Varadkar is highly critical.
But do bear in mind,
1) she was pro remain.
2) When she goes, then what.?
Vote again.. Sure we git loads of chances to get it right.. Well, the European right…
It can take a while for sense and sanity to dawn on politicians.
Eventually, Britain will have a form of nominal Brexit, Brexit in name and removed from any real influence and decision making within the EU. It will be a Brexit with significant downsides and no upside.
The madness of Brexit too time to be exposed. Nigel Farage is good a fake facts, followed closely by Boris Johnson.
@Michael Lang: Brexit was down to one thing and one thing only. It was the changes forced on ordinary people that put their communities through severe change quickly to the point that people feel like foreigners in their own country and having to pay for the privilege. It had nothing to do with money in their pockets promised by certain politicians. Those changes made the last few years of my mother’s life hell so I know what people were saying. Its something that people here have no experience of….yet.
@Patrick J. O’Rourke: ” It was the changes forced on ordinary people that put their communities through severe change quickly to the point that people feel like foreigners in their own country and having to pay for the privilege”
It is dismaying that this did happen as politicians were living in a bubble and failed to see that there are only so many institutions they are accountable to.
“Whereas backlash arguments address the harm judicial
decisions do to social-change movements, Roe’s critics focus on
the damage done by judicial intervention to the larger society.
This criticism, which the Article calls the “beyond backlash”
argument, has profound legal consequences. Justice Antonin
Scalia has woven this argument into a demand for the overruling
of Roe. In the broader legal academy, scholars believe that post Roe
polarization provides a powerful warning about the
consequences of particular interpretive methods—particularly,
when the Court decides too much too soon. Forty years after Roe,
the decision serves as a central example of the dangers of judicial
review.” Polarization politics
https://scholarlycommons.law.wlu.edu/wlulr/vol71/iss2/11/
I would have thought that our politicians would have given 20 minutes of their time to look at how societies become polarized by referendum and some never really recover as it sets in motion crippling dynamics in society. We are too small of a nation to be split by entitlement politics and to sleepwalk as the British did into overreaching decisions based on a misguided question.
@Patrick J. O’Rourke: That’s absolute and utter rubbish. Those communities are suffering due to Tory austerity. Farage and the other reactionary fools blamed the outsider. Well sorry, Europeans have seen enough of that guff before and we’re not tolerating it.
@Danny Rafferty: Now you’re talking rubbish. What I witnessed with my mother and her close community is actually too distressing for me to detail here. When what you’ve known as a classic civilised community is destroyed by, and living in fear of migrants then they want it back. I saw same happening in many places and predicted Brexit years before it happened. It had nothing to do with what you say. You must be young.
@Patrick J. O’Rourke: I have no doubt many communities have borne much more than their fair share PJ, but no style of Brexit touted is actually going to do anything for those communities. The highly questionable policies put forward still envisage +100K per year. 60% of immigration will still remain uncontrolled, and Tory policies will still ravage the JAM communities.
Brexit is pure reactionary rubbish and lies, but defend it you’ve nothing else to do this evening.
Theresa may is running around like a headless chicken,she’s trying to keep her own party from imploding and keep Arlene the tyrant happy as well.could be possible in a few months that Britain might just have a second referendum on brexit
@dick dastardly: Yes and using chemical attacks as a distraction from her own problems.
It is so Brexity, I can’t believe that it’s not Brexit.
@Michael Lang: Brilliant.
The British people voted to leave the EU, albeit by a small margin. It has emerged that they were lied to and misled by being presented with false statements by unscrupulous politicians.
The ‘leaving’ part has proven to be not so easy, as GB can’t just walk out the door, without fulfilling their commitments. Surely any person, politician or otherwise, could have seen this and acted accordingly.
For now the only logical solution must be to hold another referendum to allow the British people to decide whether to accept the final negotiated position or not. I think that result could be very different to the last vote. That would be the ultimate Democratic thing to do.
@odonnellp: I have reported your comment. It is a sane, balanced and reasonable comment. Don’t let it happen again. There is no call for that kind of sensible comment.
Its naive to think there is freedom of democracy in Europe.
Citizens do not count.
Votes do not count.
Democracy is an illusion.
All the while the Red Herring 8th takes the spotlight when real issues are far more important in 2018 Ireland.
@Ron: another clown blaming Europe for a countries individual judgement. Go back to fb.
Democracy is dead.
@Danny Tagert: No it’s Not.
@Paul Furey: a few hundred unelected Lords can over-rule the democratic vote of 17.5 millon people and stop what was voted for. Democracy is dead, crushed by unelected tyrants.
@Danny Tagert: chuckling!
@Danny Tagert: Oh Danny the hard line Tory!
@John Maye: can any of you three clowns elaborate on why democracy is not dead after the unelected Lords scuppered the vote of the people?
@neilo: To be fair to him – the House of Lords is an archaic joke. No disputing that.
Not that this is anything new, though. The HoL has been an undemocratic check on democracy from the very beginning. We’re not witnessing the death of democracy, though, we’re seeing the flaws of a bad bicameral legislature being exposed once again.
@Danny Tagert: it was actually an internal Cabinet revolt which has forced May’s hand.
@Danny Tagert: The “Lords”, have not scuppered anything. All they can do ( and have done) is send the issue back to the House of Commons for them to reconsider. It is for the directly elected single-constituency in the HoC to exercise parliamentary sovereignty as regards the Executive’s proposals. Democracy is an ongoing process.
@Terry McClatchey: Been long since dead.
@Danny Tagert: Democracy is just an illusion to fool the people it never existed.
@Danny Tagert: long since dead.
@Danny Tagert: I have to laugh at the EU being criticised by the British because Commissioners are assigned by elected governments and then you look at the House of Lords.
The real question is whether or not the UK’s current arrangements represent a functioning democracy by modern, representative European standards.
I think the case against is very strong and that is unfortunate for ordinary British people.
That would be some turn around.
@Deborah Behan: They must be getting dizzy there’s been so many. Aroogant blind fools, the lot of them.
This is old news. Downing Street issued a statement last night reaffirming they will not be staying in the customs union.
Is it the EU that are afraid of the UK leaving the customs union, successfully negotiating other trade agreements, together with a form of trade agreement with Brussels to satisfy EU industries ?
Is the EU using the “border” issue to disrupt the UK leaving the customs union ?
She knows full well remaining in the CU will bring down the government.
@wattsed: the EU afraid of the UK leaving? That’s clearly not true.
@Dave Thomas: I suspect you may be wrong. A successful UK outside the increasingly political micro managing of Brussels may just lead to the earlier break up of the EU if there is no meaningful change from within.
Politically, it’s become increasingly centrally controlled, similar to the old Soviet Union.
This was refuted by number 10 before this article was published.
How far behind the news cycle are you?
Anyway the Duchess of Cambridge has gone into Labour. That’s far more interesting news for this morning.
@Damocles:
Oh Damocles i foresee you crying into your cornflakes. We in Dublin will have a say over the rules of the customs union and you Brits can follow along…that ok?
In other words brexit is a farce
Now it is clear that the lies lies that people were told before the vote were lies
They made promises they couldn’t have ever kept.
It’s very simple ‘ the UK really want to be part of the EU but don’t want the immigrants to go with it
@Mark Walsh:
Wrong.
The British people want to be governed by the govt that they vote for, not Brussels.
What a ridiculous situation this whole thing is… Why Oh why did did Britian bring this situation on themselves and drag us in to their problems…
Nigel Garage and his accomplices sold nieve voters a total lie and now, stubborn ,
@Chris Kiely: voters who must regret this, just won’t accept the absolutely ridiculous situation they have put themselves in and change it…
When you really think about the situation they are in and all the problems it’s causing, for what, something Nigel Garage and his crue sold them based on lies and misinformation…
@Chris Kiely: because David Cameron wanted his ego stroked and it backfired spectacularly. The English public voted for leave because they believe the EU is to blame for their problems as thats the nonsence they have been fed by their government.
Seems there was a bit of premature celebration by the usual Eurofans here!
Give back the 6 county’s illegally ocupied by tyrant dictator’s,,a united Ireland better than any border,,,get British politics out of Ireland win,,win situation.
The headline is inaccurate. This is all speculation and today May ruled out staying in the Customs Union and warned of a confidence vote over the issue.
Complicate or not. If GB leaves the customs union, there will be a hard border, the question os where. In the Irish sea, the DUP is against it. Between North and South, the republic don’t want. But the EC need a border, and to avoid a border in Ireland, there s only one place left, between Ireland, GB and the Continent or the DUP must change his mind and stay in the customs union.
have your say