Budget was missed opportunity for fairness

Posted on December 10, 2009 at 06:40 PM

Budget 2010 was an opportunity for the Government to make amends and start to rebuild a fairer and more sustainable economy. Too many tax breaks for the wealthy and developers and too little regulation of the financial speculators were root causes of our country’s economic collapse.  There was a need for a fair budget with the central focus not just on cuts and pleasing international markets, but rather on  job creation and the achievement of income equality.  Instead the Government chose to introduce a budget that has divided Irish people. The Government budget has unfairly targeted some groups in our society including those on social welfare, families with children and public servants. Meanwhile many of the wealthiest in our society have managed to come out of this budget virtually unscathed.

 There was an alternative approach. Labour put forward an alternative approach before the budget. Central to Labour's alternative was a dedicated 'jobs fund' through which we would invest nearly €2bn over the next two years in creating and protecting jobs. The budget should have ensured that people who earn and have the most were asked to shoulder a fair share of the burden.  Labour's response to the Budget is at www.labour.ie. Meanwhile if you have any specific query about how the budget affects you please feel free to contact me.

Permanent link | Comments (0) | Categories: Finance