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As it happened: Paschal Donohoe unveils 'absolutely no surprises' Budget 2020

In the face of a potential no-deal Brexit, the minister has said the budget will be “safe” and “cautious”.

LAST UPDATE | 8 Oct 2019

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

BUDGET 2020 HAS arrived. 

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe revealed the details earlier today – though few came as a surprise – and now opposition parties will spend the rest of the afternoon responding. 

Here are some of the main points:

  • There’s been an increase of €6 per tonne in the carbon tax. 
  • A €1.2 billion Brexit fund was announced. 
  • Extra funding for the Gardaí will see 700 new recruits hired. 

We’ll be bringing you coverage and reaction throughout the day from Budget 2020. Stick with us. 

Hello, Cónal Thomas here taking you through this afternoon’s announcement of Budget 2020.

So, how’s it all going to happen?

First, we’ll have Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe taking the floor in the Dáil at 1pm.

The Budget speech usually takes about an hour, and then we’ll hear from opposition parties who will all take the opportunity to point how they’d do it differently. 

And then there’s a series of press conferences from the ministers of seven different departments. 

And how can you follow it?

Well, as well as here with the liveblog, we’ll also be streaming the Budget live on Twitter and Facebook.

Afterwards, you can use our Budget 2020 calculator to find out how the changes will affect you.

We don’t have to wait until 1pm to find out what’s in this year’s Budget, though, as many of the provisions have already been well-flagged in the media.

My colleague Christina Finn reported at the weekend that Budget 2020 is likely to hold no surprises with Donohoe downplaying any expectations for giveaways, telling all around him that he will be “safe” and “cautious” as his Budget 2020 is based upon a no-deal Brexit. 

But we can expect tax changes, an increase in the carbon tax and a “smaller scale and targeted” social protection package

While we’re on the subject, we’ve a poll up this morning on the carbon tax and whether readers welcome its likely increase. 

Carbon is currently taxed at €20 per tonne of CO2 emissions and the tax looks likely to be increased by €5-€7 per tonne today. It has been flagged that this could result in prices at the petrol pumps going up on midnight this evening, though the minister does also have the option to defer it until January.

The government will likely outline today that the tax revenue raised from the new carbon levy will be ring-fenced for climate action policies. 

You can give your say here. Here are the results so far:

Capture TheJournal.ie TheJournal.ie

It’s 10 years, of course, this year since the government delivered its emergency Budget in April 2009.

As Ireland plunged into recession, late Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan announced significant tax rises and a decrease in public spending.

Prior to its unveiling, it was predicted to be the most severe Budget in decades. 

Thankfully, our economic outlook looks brighter.

Yet with a potential no-deal Brexit on the horizon, the government is taking no chances with Budget 2020.

Here was Paschal Donohoe late last night apparently putting the finishing touches on Budget 2020.

Sidenote: Donohoe appears to have a framed playbill for Colin Murphy’s 2018 drama Haughey/Gregory hanging in his office. 

Of course, Independent Tony Gregory was a TD in Donohoe’s own Dublin Central constituency for many years and famously struck the ‘Gregory Deal’ with Haughey in return for supporting the Fianna Fáil leader in government. 

So, back to the Budget.

In the face of Brexit, Donohoe is expected to announce a €650 million contingency fund - €500m coming from money earmarked for the Rainy Day fund and the remainder from corporation taxes.

The Budget package has an expected worth €2.8bn, but it is understood that the increase in carbon tax and changes to other taxes, could push it closer to €3bn. 

Income Tax was also set to be the big selling point for Budget 2020 but it looks like there will be little-to-no change for workers this year while the Help-to-Buy scheme for first-time buyers will remain unchanged.

Donohoe has indicated that the Christmas payment for social welfare recipients would not be reduced or scrapped, and would be paid at the same rate of 100%, just like last year.

 

With less than an hour to go until Paschal heads to the Dáil chamber, my colleagues Christina Finn and Gráinne Ní Aodha are down at Leinster House ahead of the action. 

There’s been a lot of talk about a carbon tax increase ahead of Budget 2020, as we mentioned. 

Discussions around the tax have been ramped up in recent weeks, as groups like Extinction Rebellion – which is engaging in a week-long protest this week – call for new measures to tackle climate change. 

Down at Leinster House, it’s all quiet on the Western Front…for now. 

Capture Christina Finn / Twitter.com Christina Finn / Twitter.com / Twitter.com

Meanwhile, the Independent Alliance has been pushing for the threshold for eligibility for a medical card for the over 70s to rise in Budget 2020. You can read more about that here

If you’re just joining us, we’re about 20 minutes away from Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe’s Budget 2020 speech in the Dáil. 

And here’s Paschal on the steps outside Leinster House just a few minutes ago.

The Minister this year dons a purple tie, a change from last year’s blue, patterned affair.

This year’s Budget was drawn up largely to prepare for the possibility of no-deal Brexit, the government said. 

With Britain due to leave the EU on the 31 October, it’s coming down to the wire for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reach a deal with the EU…if he wants to at all. 

EU Council President Donald Tusk has just questioned the PM’s seriousness about achieving that end. 

And Tánaiste Simon Coveney has just agreed with Tusk. 

TDs are beginning to take their seats in the Dáil chamber now.

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And Donohoe and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have just arrived.

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And we’re off…

“This is a Budget without precedent,” Donohoe says, opening his speech. 

These are also times without precedent, however, he adds. “This is a Budget that has been developed in the shadow of Brexit. 

While it does not mean that a no-deal Brexit is inevitable, the government must be cautious and the public’s finances kept on “a credible path”, he adds. 

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

“We stand ready to act,” Donohoe says, given the unprecedented event of a no-deal Brexit. 

The Minister points out that Irish citizens “played no part” in Brexit nor what it could result in before thanking opposition parties for their co-operation in drawing up Budget 2020. 

He warns of the twin risks of an overheated economy and no-deal Brexit and says Budget 2020 was drawn up with that in mind. 

Laying out preparations for a no-deal Brexit, Donohoe announces a package of €1.2 billion  – excluding EU funding – to respond to Brexit.

He said this package is in two parts, with €200m available next year.

Donohoe says the package will be allocated across a number of departments and agencies “to ensure we are ready for Brexit, whatever form it takes”.

“If a no-deal happens, we will intervene to further protect our economy.”

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“It will be borrowed money. If we do not need it, we will not borrow it. If No Deal does not happen, it will not be borrowed for other purposes,” Donohoe says. 

If a no-deal Brexit does not happen, he says, Ireland will not borrow money for other purposes.

“In the event of No Deal, €650m will be made available to support the Agriculture, Enterprise and Tourism sectors and to assist the most affected citizens and regions.€220m will be deployed immediately in the event of a No Deal.”

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Donohoe has outlined supports under his plan for food, manufacturing and the services sector:

  • €45 million Transition Fund
  • €42 million Rescue and Restructuring Fund
  • €8 million Transformation Fund for Food and Non-Food businesses
  • €5 million extra for Micro Finance Ireland
  • €5 million for a Local Enterprise Offices Emergency Brexit Fund
  • €2m extra for Intertrade Ireland
  • €3m extra for Regulatory Bodies.

This approach, the Minister says, will help ensure Ireland’s economy can be protected from Brexit in the coming years. 

He says: “This year public capital investment will increase by 22% this year, the unemployment rate has fallen to 5.3%”.

Tax revenues are largely in line with forecasts for this year, Donohoe says. with €40.7bn collected to end-September, an annual increase of 8.7%. 

Today’s Budget, Donohoe says, has two strands. 

“The budget I am announcing today is designed to protect recent progress in our economy. It will act as a bridge to a better future for our country. Crucial to this will be how we manage our public spending,” Donohoe says. 

The  Minister expects supplementary funding to be less than half of last year in the health sector.

“My colleague the Minister for Health, and the new leadership team in the HSE, have succeeded in containing the additional pressures in the Health sector to less than half of the level of last year.”
 

If you’re just joining us, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is delivering Budget 2020 in the Dáil. 

While Brexit is the most immediate risk, climate change “is without doubt our defining challenge” but the government has a plan, he said. 

You guessed it, carbon tax. 

Carbon tax will raise…”an additional €6bn that could be invested in decarbonising the economy while protecting the most vulnerable from the increases in living costs associated,” the Minister says, to some groans in the chamber.

So, that’s an increase of €6 per tonne on petrol and diesel and will come into effect at midnight.

Expect queues at gas stations this evening, so. 

Additional measures, Donohoe says, will include €5 million for peat land rehabilitation to support reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhance biodiversity.

The 1% diesel surcharge introduced last year will be now replaced with a nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions-based charge, the Minister says. 

This surcharge will apply to all passenger cars registering for the first time in the State from 1 January 2020.

The benefit-in-kind for electric vehicles will also be extended to 2022. 

Minister Donohoe, speaking in the Dáil, has announced that there will be a 2% increase in funding to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in 2020, bringing it to nearly €1 billion. 

He adds that Brexit is a “key challenge” to Irish SMEs, saying that “a suite of supports” are in place to provide up to €600 million in supports for businesses. 

Here’s the Minister outlining some of the measures to combat the impact of Brexit to Ireland’s economy. 

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Interesting one – Donohoe has just announced a measure to allow larger microbreweries to expand, with the qualifying production threshold increased by 10,000 hectolitres to 50,000.

shutterstock_743585434 Shutterstock / Kitti.s Shutterstock / Kitti.s / Kitti.s

Today’s Budget, Donohoe says, has two strands. 

“The budget I am announcing today is designed to protect recent progress in our economy. It will act as a bridge to a better future for our country. Crucial to this will be how we manage our public spending.”

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

The Minister moves onto tourism and says the sector has been performing well in recent years with a record of 10.6 million visitors.

However, there are concerns for its future, particularly from slow-down in economic growth in key markets and the threat of a no-deal Brexit.

Donohoe allocates €40 million for tourism specific initiatives.

How’s everyone doing out there? Sure it’s all go in the Dáil. 

Outlining Budget 2020, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe says there will be additional investment in housing over the next year.

This, he says, will allow the “government to continue to respond to the significant increase in demand for housing supports while also prioritising investment in the social housing programme.”

There will also be a €20 million increase – to €166 million – in 2020 for emergency homelessness services. 

“This will support people in emergency accommodation and increase preventative measures, long-term support and day services,” he says. 

House price increase are moderating, Donohoe adds, and government policy is helping but “more needs to be done”. 

And, €130 million of investment is being made available for urban regeneration to help rejuvenate cities and towns, Donohoe says.

The high cost of renting continues to be a concern, he adds, and there are now 44 rent pressure zones.

In 2020, an additional €2 million will be given to residential tenancies board to investigate compliance with these rules.

More on the housing front, Donohoe has announced Capital funding of more than €1.1 billion to deliver 11,000 new social homes in 2020.

He says a further 12,000 social housing units will be delivered in 2021 while €80 million will be provided for the Housing Assistance Payment scheme next year.

Almost €2 million in additional funding is also being allocated to the Residential Tenancies Board to support their increased powers to investigate and sanction non-compliance with RPZ measures.

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

And, as expected, the Help-to-Buy scheme will be extended in its current form to the end of 2021. 

Meanwhile, the rate of stamp duty for non-residential property will be increased by 1½% effective from tonight – right after you get your petrol.

Current expenditure in health, Donohoe says, is set to increase by 6.3% to €17.4 billion in 2020 – an increase of €1 billion.

There will €25 million extra for National Treatment Purchase Fund while prescription charges for all people will be reduced by 50 cent.

The monthly threshold for the Drug Payment Scheme will be reduced by €10 per month and medical card income thresholds for people over 70 will increase by €50 for a single person or €150 for a couple per week. 

Bad news for all you smokers. 

Excise on a pack of 20 cigarettes is going up by 50 cents, with a pro-rata increase on other tobacco products, Donohoe has announced. 

This will bring the price of cigarettes in the most popular price category to €13.50.

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In case you missed it, here’s the Minister announcing funding for sustainable transport schemes.

We’re hearing from the Dáil that TD Mattie McGrath heckled the Minister as he was announcing green measures.

“What about the farmers?” he shouted across the chambers, so we understand.

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Onto education now, over €11 billion will be provided to the Department of Education and Skills in 2020, Donohoe announces. 

This will include 150 new mainstream teaching posts in schools and investment of €1.9 billion in special education. 

There will also be 400 additional posts to support those with special educational needs and 1,000 more Special Needs Assistants to be hired.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs will be allocated an additional €94 million for next year, Donohoe announces. 

As part of this, there’s an increase in the allocation for Túsla, the Child and Family Agency, by over €29 million, to just over €814 million as well as funding for early learning and childcare will increase by €54 million.

Donohoe announces a €120 million increase in the investment of for justice and policing in 2020, an increase of 4.7% with the gardaí budget is to be increased by €81m.

The Minister also says there will be additional funding of over €32 million in additional funding to the Defence Vote Group.

On the tax front, Donohoe says he does not want to make tax cuts that may have to be reversed in the future and announces an increase in the Home Carer Credit of €100 to bring the value of the credit to €1,600.

The Earned Income Credit for self-employed people is increased by €150 to bring the value of the credit to €1,500.

The Corporation Tax rate will not be changing, the Minister says. There was a year-on-year increase of 13.2% in Corporation Tax receipts to September, he adds, and that he will be “continuing to take action on Corporation Tax reform”.

For Social Welfare, Donohoe announces an increase of €690m in 2020 for the Department.

A 100% Christmas bonus will be paid to all social welfare recipients in 2019 while there’ll be a €5 increase in Living Alone Allowance in 2020.

The Minister announces a €15 increase for the One Parent Family Payment and increases in the Qualified Child Payment by a further €3 for over 12s and €2 for under 12 as well as a €2 a week influence in fuel allowance. 

Concluding his speech, Minister Donohoe says that Brexit is a great challenge but Ireland will grow and our economy will develop.

He says that this Budget invests in our future, while meeting the needs of today before commending Budget 2020 to the House.

First up after Donohoe is Fianna Fáil’s finance spokesperson Michael McGrath. 

McGrath says that people will have their opportunity to give their opinion on this government but that the priority right now is for the country to be steered through Brexit.

McGrath says this will be the final Budget under the confidence and supply agreement.

Over here at Journal Towers, meanwhile, we’ve been diving into what Budget 2020 means for you. 

Dominic McGrath has been looking into the main points while Orla Dwyer has you sorted for the green measures announced this afternoon

And already the reaction is coming in following Donohoe’s speech. 

The Irish Dental Association has expressed concerns over the proposal to introduce free dental care for children under six, adding that the timelines laid out are unrealistic.

Fintan Hourihan, Chief Executive of the IDA, said that Minister for Health Simon Harris should look at alternative models to what was being proposed and that an interim plan was needed to rebuild the public school dental service.

teeth Shutterstock / AKIRA_PHOTO Shutterstock / AKIRA_PHOTO / AKIRA_PHOTO

Still with us? Excellent. Here’s Paschal Donohoe’s full Budget 2020 speech

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Back to the Dáil and McGrath is still up. 

Responding to Donohoe’s speech, he says that Fianna Fáil supporting this Budget via the Confidence and Supply Agreement should not be seen as “a ringing endorsement”.

He talks of major risks posed by no-deal Brexit and says the government needs to hasten preparations in this regard.

mike Dáil TV Dáil TV

More reaction to Budget 2020 now coming in, this time from Age Action Ireland who have said the failure to increase pensions contradicted the Government’s commitments under National Pensions Framework.

The group also said reducing tax breaks for private pensions could have allowed the government to tackle significant income inequality among older people.

Age Action CEO, Paddy Connolly, has said that older people will be “disappointed but probably not surprised by the government’s failure to increase the Old Age Pension for 2020.”

Connolly said that the tone of the government’s message to older people in the lead up to the Budget has been that they shouldn’t expect much by way of income improvements. 

My colleague Michelle Hennessy has been taking a look at the price increase on packet of cigarettes laid out in Budget 2020. 

John Mallon, spokesperson for the smokers’ lobby group Forest Ireland has described the increase as a “massive own goal” by the government. 

“Ireland is already the most expensive country in Europe to buy tobacco. Thanks to Pascal Donohoe, more smokers will buy their tobacco duty free when they are abroad, or on the black market at home.”

fags Shutterstock / Grzegorz Czapski Shutterstock / Grzegorz Czapski / Grzegorz Czapski

However the move was welcomed by the Irish Cancer Society, which said sharp increases in the cot of cigarettes is the most effective way of getting people to quite.

“This must go side by side with proven supports for people to quit,” the charity said.

Alcohol Action Ireland has welcomed the government’s decision to retain the current rates of excise duty on alcohol in Budget 2020. 

The group said this is the 7th year in a row that excise duty has remained untouched in Budget considerations.

Spokesperson Eunan McKinney said the group, however, had advised Minister Donohoe to begin the process of tapering the tax relief afforded to micro-breweries and said the extension to this relief was regrettable especially when public funds are so limited in alcohol treatment services.

Gráinne, meanwhile, is in her element down at Leinster House. Check out her thread on all the mentions of Brexit in Paschal Donohoe’s Budget 2020 speech. 

Back in the Dáil, Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen has said it is a time for cool heads and unity of purpose in the face of Brexit. 

He said that any show of doubt would be jumped upon by the British government.

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Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy’s Rebuilding Ireland programme and policies have left housing in Ireland in a “no-man’s land,” says Cowen. 

Murphy looks lees than pleased with the Deputy’s comment. 

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A quick reminder that, while I’ve been on the liveblog, my colleagues have been writing up how Budget 2020 will affect people in a variety of ways. 

Michelle Hennessy has been looking at the increase in petrol and diesel prices.

Orla Dwyer has been looking at the announcement of free dental care for under 6-s and free GP visits being extended to under 8s. 

Orla’s also been looking into Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe considering decentralisation for civil servants. 

Gráinne and Christina are attending the post-Budget press conferences, in the meantime. 

“This Budget has been framed by Brexit,” Minister of State Helen McEntee says, asksing people to engage in Brexit preparations if they haven’t yet done so.

Sport and Tourism Minister Shane Ross says the tourism sector is already being affected by Brext, and 10,000 tourism jobs could be lost in a no-deal scenario.

Reacting to the Budget, AA Ireland has said the fuel tax increase is “about cash not carbon”. 
 
“Government have cynically taken advantage of the climate crisis to justify a tax increase, instead of outlining measures which would actually lead to reductions in our carbon emissions. Investing in public transport infrastructure, LUASs like systems across our main cities, quality cycle lanes, all these measures would do far more to get people out of the car than a tax increase ever will,” it said in a statement. 

SVP Ireland, meanwhile, have said the measures to protect low income households for the impact of increases “fall short”. 

Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty is up now and quickly launches his attacks on the government. 

“We can’t pretend to solve a problem when we’re not – that has been the issue on customs,” says Tánaiste Simon Coveney at the post-Budget press conference. 

“If the approach of the British government is take it or leave it, then the British side must know that theres not going to be a deal,” he adds. 

“The narrative seems to be leaning towards a blame game rather than solving the issue.”

Strong words from The Irish Farmers Association which has said that Ireland faces an “agricultural Armageddon”. 

“While the €110m committed to the Dept of Agriculture for next year is a step forward, much more will be needed now as farmers are already suffering huge losses due to Brexit uncertainty,” IFA president Joe Healy said. 

“Beef farmers have incurred huge losses since May 12th when the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was introduced and these have to be covered,” Healy added. 

“Now that the Irish Government has set out its plans, we need the EU Commission to put its Brexit funding cards on the table,” he said.

shutterstock_189357860 Shutterstock / COLOMBO NICOLA Shutterstock / COLOMBO NICOLA / COLOMBO NICOLA

We’ve a new breakout piece for you up on the site

Orla Dwyer has examined the €81 million increase to the gardaí budget and to plans for an additional 700 new recruits to the force.

Back in the Dáil, Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty is still speaking. He says that Budget 2020 should have given workers and families a break and criticised the government’s tax reliefs.

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Denise Mitchell from Sinn Féin has taken over from Pearse Doherty. 

She’s taking aim at both the government and the “token opposition” (she means Fianna Fáil). 

“There is nothing in this Budget for renters,” she says. 

Mitchell has a point – see our guide to what the Budget means for housing here

Capture Oireachtas Oireachtas

Labour’s Joan Burton is speaking now. 

She’s offering a pretty stinging criticism of the government’s Brexit response. 

Fine Gael, she says, has done nothing to help the poorest people who could be hit hardest by a no-deal Brexit. 

“You decided to leave the poorest people in this country out of the Brexit considerations,” she said. 

“Is the government lacking in complete sensitivity?” 

Capture Oireachtas Oireachtas

Someone not impressed by Joan Burton’s criticism is the Social Democrats’ Catherine Murphy…

Away from all the politicking in the Dáil, what will the Budget actually mean for you?

When it comes to health, the sector is receiving an extra €1 billion in funding – expect that figure to be repeated ad infinitum by Fine Gael in the coming days and weeks. 

But what is it going towards? Our reporter Orla Dwyer has a write up of the main Budget announcements today for health. 

Remembered Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy in 2003 and his doomed plans for the decentralisation of the civil service? 

Well, one of the less-discussed parts of Budget 2020 was Paschal Donohoe’s suggestion that civil servants could be dispersed around the country in the future. 

This might sound less interesting that Brexit or climate change, but if this pledge is taken seriously it has the potential to be another headache for the government. 

“Fine Gael is determined to put everything to do with housing in the hands of landlords,” Burton tells the Dáil.

The lack of any real funding for renters in the Budget – aside from €2 million to the Residential Tenancies Board – is something that you can expect opposition parties to focus on. 

Interestingly, Labour’s Alan Kelly chose to highlight the fact that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar wasn’t even in the Dáil to listen to the response of opposition parties. 

He says a long-standing tradition has been abandoned. 

It’s a fair point – although Varadkar would probably say he has plenty of other things to do. 

We’re going to finish the liveblog here. Goodbye from me, Dominic McGrath, and goodbye from Paschal Donohoe.

But don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated across the site on everything Budget 2020-related for the rest of the evening. 

budget 2020_90581974 Sam Boal / Rollingnews.ie Sam Boal / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Oct 8th 2019, 11:41 AM

    So if Brexit goes smoothly or is even cancelled/reversed as the anti-democrats want, will we have a supplementary budget full of goodies for everyone ?

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    Mute Sam Louise
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    Oct 8th 2019, 11:43 AM

    @Tommy Roche: can see neither happening

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    Mute DBennie
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    Oct 8th 2019, 11:49 AM

    @Tommy Roche: you’re concerned with “anti-democracy” in the UK over our National interest/impending devastating effects it will have on our Island?

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    Mute Tweety McTweeter
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:25 PM

    @Tommy Roche: If you’re so pro-democracy, you’ll have no problem with the suggestion of putting a proposed deal to a vote by the British people. You know, so they’ll have something tangible to vote on rather than just an idea like they had in the Brexit campaign

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    Mute Jim Buckley Barrett
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    Oct 8th 2019, 5:00 PM

    @Tommy Roche: Since when did it say that democracy didn’t allow for people to change their mind?

    Look at this country, we voted on divorce and abortion years ago and again and both didn’t pass until recent years. Was that anti-democracy?

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    Mute Declan Moran
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    Oct 8th 2019, 5:01 PM

    @Tommy Roche: Dream on Tommy I’m afraid

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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Oct 8th 2019, 5:05 PM

    @Tommy Roche: Will we ever get to vote on them again though Jim?

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    Mute Derek Durkin
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    Oct 8th 2019, 11:38 AM

    It’s no surprise to see governments, here and elsewhere, ratchet up the new carbon taxes considering the ever rising colossal debts that every nation is under…..bankers got to get paid.

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    Mute Francis Sally
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:12 PM

    @Derek Durkin: and in the mean time, more taxes means less money to spend for the average person. Economy suffers!

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    Mute Keith ☘️
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:29 PM

    @Derek Durkin: hopefully it will help get the Eco worriers off the streets

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    Mute Sylvia O'Regan
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    Oct 8th 2019, 5:30 PM

    @Derek Durkin: That’s a very good point, Derek. And the decision makers won’t be affected by this. It’ll be the ordinary people who will see their lifestyle regress while the rich have their wealth protected abroad.

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    Mute Charles Coughlan
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:09 PM

    If the Government was genuinely concerned they woukd have postponed the budget until after the end of October.to see how Brexit plays out.

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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Oct 8th 2019, 2:02 PM

    @Charles Coughlan: Well said Charles nail on the head. They should have waited, this “budget” is all about fleecing the taxpayers.

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Oct 8th 2019, 2:05 PM

    @Charles Coughlan: Because there will be another budget in early December if it turns out a no deal

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    Mute iam2sound@gmail.com
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    Oct 8th 2019, 12:10 PM

    I hope money is being set aside to upgrade all swings…

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    Mute Means of escape
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:19 PM

    @iam2sound@gmail.com: only donkeys fall for the 1.399 a litre ploy.
    It’s 1.40

    pay cash. May as well round it up

    6
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    Mute Michael Patrick Newell
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    Oct 8th 2019, 11:57 AM

    translation: If you aren’t rich or well off, start buying some extra vaseline and stick the saddle on your back, cos pascal the plank is about to do you over……..which wont be a surprise to any one when he delivers rodgering the ordinary and less well off budget 2020

    58
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    Mute Paraic
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    Oct 8th 2019, 11:33 AM

    Only “no surprises” because they’ve been drip feeding it to us for the last month.

    44
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    Mute Kev
    Favourite Kev
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    Oct 8th 2019, 11:48 AM

    We need to end these “giveaway” budgets anyway. Investment in transport infrastructure andhousing should be prioritised instead of people getting a fiver in their pocket because one eye is on the next election.

    37
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    Mute Liam O Dubhghaill
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    Oct 8th 2019, 12:04 PM

    @Kev: when was the last giveaway budget ?

    62
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    Mute Noel Cowzer
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:58 PM

    @Kev: ah come on Kevin old people a fiver ffs these people have paid there taxes all thre lives and lived through some shitty times they deserve a much better increase than that now I am not getting into dole but people depend on it to live

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Oct 8th 2019, 2:38 PM

    @Kev: just cause we’ve been screwed for the last 8/9 years doesn’t mean it should become the norm. we’re now getting screwed even more, and it still we have USC. This lot are accountable to no one it seems.

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    Mute Kev
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    Oct 8th 2019, 3:08 PM

    @Liam O Dubhghaill: €5 increases per month for everyone isn’t going to improve people’s lives. If they invested that money in the likes of transport and housing people would then feel real benefits.

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    Mute Liam O Dubhghaill
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    Oct 8th 2019, 5:45 PM

    @Kev: So the middle income earner is down again this budget!!

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    Mute Liam O Dubhghaill
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    Oct 8th 2019, 5:53 PM

    @Kev: And the cost of basic living will go up as a result of this budget also, your bread, milk, butter, power etc

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    Mute Maria Hickey-Fagan
    Favourite Maria Hickey-Fagan
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:44 PM

    “Expect queues at gas stations this evening” I’m sorry, when exactly did we become Americans? Next it’ll be diapers and faucets, zucchini and eggplant.

    28
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    Mute cybersecsteve
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    Oct 8th 2019, 3:35 PM

    @Maria Hickey-Fagan: Cilantro
    ….

    2
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    Mute Paddy Kavanagh
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    Oct 8th 2019, 2:14 PM

    As usual the government are going to piss down the backs of the common worker and tell them its raining.
    Petrol and diesel gone up because the government have done NOTHING to tackle carbon emisions.
    If you live in rural ireland you have no hope. Cant buy an electric car because you have no charging points, cant get public transport because there is none or it is not available when you need it.
    You buy a car and get robbed through tax insurance petrol and diesel.

    A joke

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Oct 8th 2019, 2:24 PM

    @Paddy Kavanagh: But some commentators on here preach that our country is heaven to live in when in fact it is so badly mismanaged by FF/FG that it is turning into the greatest kip in the civilized world.

    19
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    Mute Paddy Kavanagh
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    Oct 8th 2019, 2:31 PM

    @David Corrigan: Carbon tax will do sweet F all when our planet finally decides enough is enough.
    I wonder would carbon tax have saved the dinosaurs?

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    Mute The Irish Bull
    Favourite The Irish Bull
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    Oct 8th 2019, 7:43 PM

    @Paddy Kavanagh: Spot on.

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    Mute Colm
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    Oct 8th 2019, 11:53 AM

    Shut that door

    15
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    Mute Niall Dunne
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    Oct 8th 2019, 2:26 PM

    Nothing for the young, nothing for the renters. All breaks are either for the elderly or for business. When will these business breaks affect my pay packet?

    15
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    Mute Michael Bardon
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:51 PM

    Tax Breaks for bookies and all the misery they cause, back in the 70s tax was 20% up front on all bets.

    13
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    Mute ed w
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:39 PM

    carbon tax 6bn could be invested in decarbonising the economy but pretty sure it wont be.

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    Mute Brian McCarthy
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:47 PM

    If the government were actually serious/concerned about the environment, they should make all public transport zero-emission by 2023

    8
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    Mute Bernard Kavanagh
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    Oct 8th 2019, 7:04 PM

    The message out if this budget:

    If you are low waged/minimum waged/social welfare/disabled/old aged then you will face effective cuts to your supports because nothing has been provided to match the increase in inflation due in 2020. This means you will pay more out of your existing supports/income and gain nothing in return.

    If you are wealthy then you get to keep your shares tax free/get more state support if you own properties for rent under HAP/have hotels/b&b/so called emergency accommodation and if you are big business then great. You won’t be touched at all. In fact we will give you millions more.

    This budget is designed to siphon more from the disadvantaged to funnel it to the wealthy.

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    Mute Kieran Graham
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:35 PM

    Brexit has neutered irish politics..

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    Mute Matthew O'Kane
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    Oct 8th 2019, 4:34 PM

    this government and its budgets plays those in poverty against those on the bottom wrung working, off each other perfectly, with great favors for all fine geal fianna fail landlords and their corporations to milk the majority dry, not a mention of the USC, that must be included in the 12.5% right or in fighting to give 13 billion back to apple surely the companies fracking gas and drilling oil off our coast will pay their share of the carbon tax, fat chance enjoy another stale budget folks courtesy of those who never cared and never will about you or your struggle to keep a roof over your head

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    Mute Count Craicula
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:20 PM

    As long as they don’t touch me fags, me drink and me carbon

    17
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    Mute Tweety McTweeter
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:27 PM

    @Count Craicula: I love me carbon

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    Mute Shane Cormican
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    Oct 8th 2019, 1:15 PM

    A lot of “twittering” going on

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
    Favourite Joshua Walsh
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    Oct 8th 2019, 2:35 PM

    Dear Pascal, blow it up your backside, regards, The Squeezed Middle

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    Mute John Cunningham
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    Oct 8th 2019, 3:01 PM

    He is such a nice man, lovely lovely lovely, like a walk in Boora Bog on a nice day, a nice cup a tea, or a nice piece of fish, lovely just lovely n nice

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
    Favourite TamuMassif2019
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    Oct 8th 2019, 5:58 PM

    What about carers allowance then?

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    Mute Marty
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    Oct 8th 2019, 2:22 PM

    Biggest employer and must visited tourist attraction…. An Irish pub and hey what did do for them nada

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    Mute End point Finance
    Favourite End point Finance
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    Dec 14th 2019, 1:27 AM

    End Point Finance Solutions

    End Point Finance Solutions offers an assortment of loan types, including bank statement loans, small business loans, working capital loans, equipment loans and equipment refinance loans. Loans are available for $5,000 to $150,000. The amount for which a business qualifies depends on business and personal credit, time in business, the amount of equipment owned, and gross sales. Visit our website: http://www.endpointfinance.com/ email: financeendpoint20@gmail.com for further proceedings.

    Sincerely.

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    Mute Amuta Emi
    Favourite Amuta Emi
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    Jan 11th 2020, 12:57 AM

    My Testimony

    Hello everyone. Am here to testify how I got my loan from Mr. James Clifford of Oak-Tree Capital Management. after I applied several times from various loan lenders who promised to help but they never gave me the loan. Until a friend of mine introduced me to Mr. James Clifford promised to help me and indeed he did as he promised without any form of delay.I never thought there are still reliable loan lenders until I met Mr. James Clifford, who indeed helped with the loan and changed my belief. I don’t know if you are in any way in need of a genuine and urgent loan, Be free to contact Mr. James Clifford of Oak-tree capital management at ( oaktreecapital@consultant.com ) WhatsApp :{+1 325-242-9869 }

    Thanks
    { I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FRIENDS }

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    Mute Mary Ward
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    Oct 8th 2019, 2:45 PM

    Attached my letter to the TD of Dublin Fingal .

    (1) Minister cant touch cent without TD votes.
    2 TD have FAILED to have Minister lay before the dail and REDUCE deficit until legislation on statute books making it part of domestic law and (2) Taoiseach setting out Johnstons offer to EU for Dail to name ireland price for consnet to removal of backstop.

    UK they are ursing a reckle policy whe it coe to the UK and Brexit and it is because BECAUSE TD and it iis in TD the responsibility lies NOT to have the Govt account to the Dail that a GOLDNET GOLDEN opp misied for IRLAND TO SET OUT ITS PRICE FOR REMOVAL OF THE BACKSTOP in the DAIL not behind the door talk betwene pol paties . How can any TD vote on any estimates when the Dail has no control over that budget yet this is excallyt what min for finance has to have to be able to autgorise as much as one cnet to a dept next year.. And TD could easil have said to min we will vote on yir estimate but in return u must now lay that deal made by Min for Finacne with teh EU and IMF before Dail and reduce that deficit . Instead not only has the govt conto over what is in the kitty t spend and min say 44 billiones owed whihc has dirve the defict up they have given him the key to the PENSIONS FUND to fence of the EU if notice ae serve the he reduce iit and the UK .. I hpe it works but I have my doucbt big big douct and if i am richg well then god held us when it come to relaitn with the UK and as for Germany .. ell they have a DEBOTR .. why cos DAL AND THE TD IN DAIL EIREAN jsut simply cnanot break away form the party and act as TD with the responsibilo of the dail for the allcoation of budget in eas fo them perosnally per s ct in a judget in joan colins case, AND TIME FOR PE TO TELLL lcoal td where is that deal and made by B Lenihan and why isnt it before the Dail reducting the deficit .. atached also extract from NTMA Repot for 18 shhowing how national debt made up twnety per cent being loan form EU and UK .. but MINISTER MADE THAT . ONLY MINISTER .

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    Mute Daniel Finucane
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    Oct 8th 2019, 6:16 PM

    @Mary Ward: I don’t think he will understand it.

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    Mute Mary Ward
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    Oct 8th 2019, 3:49 PM

    I wish to apologise for typing error but i hope message getting thru that TD must take responsibility for the state of the country purse. .

    1 They failed to have minister lay the deal made by B Lenihan before the Dail.

    Attached extract from NTMA report for 18 showing national debt .

    Twenty per cent made up of loan form EU and UK made by Minister who cant deny debt but DAIL a different storey alltogether. Minister make deal. Oireachtas make law.

    2 As a result the deficit is above the Fiscal Compact Threshold meaning EU Commission can serve notice on govt to reduce debt within a time frame and the cost of brexit are not exceptional circumstances.

    How is Dail and Govt dealing with this

    TD VOTED and passed an act under which Min for Finance has taken 1.5 billion euro out of the national pensions fund A G A I N to fence off the commission and the UK rather then havng mininster lay that deal before the dail and reduce that deficit.

    opposition now on floor complaingin about govt overspend .. dont be fooled . FF can refuse to vote on estimates unless in return the min lays that deal by B Lenihan before the dail and reduce deficit until terms agreed and legislation on statute books.

    UK can cause havoc to the economy if they leave and this is really wher the policy set out by B Lenihan on day one .. that DAIL EXCLUDED . is blowing up in our faces but minister now has pension fund to fence off UK and EU with ?? Or has he ?

    Rather that DAIL having govt account to it and have

    1 Minister for Finance lay the EU/IMF deal made by B Lenihan laid beofre it for it approval and reducing deficit form any debt owed to the EU until then

    AND

    2 Taoiseach laying before the dail offeer /proposal made by UK to EU for the DAIL to name Ireland Price for the removal of the backstop and NOT A Merkle telling Uk no deal ?

    TD quite simply are pushing deficit up and us into hand of EU as a debtor nation when what is neede is both UK and Ire ry to come to an ageeme on removal of backstop cos if uk leave and no deal well then ?

    Just remember what ever TD complain about gvot .. a min canot not touch a cent without theri vote .

    1
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    Mute Mary Ward
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    Oct 8th 2019, 4:18 PM

    This is article in the sun newspaper.

    Minister must have TD Vote in order to ‘validly authorise expenditure ‘ form the public fund but they have no control over what is in the fund to spend cos

    1 Minister say and minister have to say cos minister made the deal that we owe 40 billion to the EU and 4 billion to the UK but minister do not make law

    AND

    2 TD again turned around and voted (incl FF now opposing and complainging about overspending ) to give min for finance key to the pension fund for payments

    Every single utterance of a TD on this budget that involve expenditure is pushing the deficit up, a deficit twenty per cent of which is derived from a deal made by a minister never laid before the Dail. All they needed to do is have min lay that deal before the Dail to reduce it until terms agreed and legislation on statute books and mean TD.

    If S F . genuine they wld have had the deal made by B Lenihan beofre the DAIL year and year ago and M L McDonnald would have had her space last week to name ireland price for the removal of the consnet . Now they ae relying on pension fund . .

    If TD are nto happy they dont VOTE on estimate and can tell govt with brexit that deal by B Lenihan be laid before the Dail cos govt looking to the EU .. sure at moment we are a DEBTOR NATION.. OF COURSE A Merke is going to say what we want to UK.

    The laying of the deal before the deal is same as saying DAIL that has last word not govt.
    https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10063132/brexit-news-boris-johnson-latest-eu-ireland-deal/

    1
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