SFA urges McCreevy to rein in spending

Business lobby group the Small Firms Association (SFA) has called on Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy to maintain a strong hold on public spending and resist demands for increases in public expenditure.

The SFA said funds from once-off sources should be invested where they have the highest economic and social return and “not simply given up to assuage the feelings of backbenchers in the wake of recent election results”.

SFA Director Pat Delaney said: “The minister must maintain a firm hand on expenditure and prioritise and deliver a service based on necessity, quality and value for money.”