The budget will be harsh — and Enda can’t deny it

JUST a few short weeks ago, as the Government marked its first 100 days in office with a press conference, Taoiseach Enda Kenny stressed that there would be no income tax increases in December’s budget.

In doing so, he was reiterating a pledge in the Programme for Government that the Fine Gael-Labour coalition would “maintain the current rates of income tax, together with bands and credits”.

To the media, it seemed like a fairly routine PR stunt to ensure positive headlines about the first 100 days.