LAST UPDATE | 14 Jun 2023
TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said at a parliamentary party meeting this evening that a lot of work has to be done in the next two years, with the focus on building more homes, helping ‘middle Ireland’ and putting money back in people’s pockets.
The Fine Gael leader told colleagues that he believed the party could increase its share of votes in the next election, remaining in government, despite what recent polls have shown.
It is understood that he also told party members to talk to him directly if they have difficulty with his leadership.
Party colleagues said that its successes include reducing unemployment and avoiding a hard border in Brexit, despite ongoing international challenges.
Among his ream of objectives for the next budget, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe pledged that the party would deliver more, improve public services, let workers keep more of their wages, and build more affordable homes.
The party also aims to reduce the cost of childcare and revisit social welfare and pensions package.
Budget kite-flying has begun early this year, with Fine Gael junior ministers writing opinion pieces in a national newspaper on what they want to see in this year’s budget – namely €1,000 worth of income tax cuts.
As coalition parties set about differentiating themselves from each other by putting clear lines in the sand on their budget priorities, Leo Varadkar will come under pressure this evening to give concrete commitments on what Fine Gael will be able to point to their party’s wins in Budget 2024.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee told reporters today that she wouldn’t spell out her budget day “wish list”, stating that it wouldn’t be helpful, but said Fine Gael policies are clearly set out.
“We need to protect those who are most vulnerable. And that’s absolutely clear in our policies and the work that we have done collectively as a Government… but it is also important that those who work, those who pay taxes, that those who perhaps don’t benefit from other forms of supports or schemes, that they see a return as well, and that they are supported,” she said.
“I think everybody has been impacted, in recent times, be it in the changes to mortgages, be it in the increase in energy costs and inflation. Everybody is impacted by that. So what Fine Gael is simply saying is that every single person should be able to benefit from support and make sure that people can see the cost coming down on their daily lives,” McEntee added.
She said the time to discuss Fine Gael’s budget priorities is in the parliamentary party meeting, adding that it is important that every party member has the opportunity to spell out what they think should be prioritised.
“What’s important is that we find the right balance of spending and making sure that we’ve been prudent and that we have money for the inevitable challenges that will come down the line. But, you know, above all, that we support people, to protect them in what can be difficult and challenging times at the moment. But we’re also looking to the future and making sure that we have that safety net in place,” she added.
Additional reporting by Mairead Maguire
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