Think-tank questions rival budget report

The Fiscal Advisory Council (FAC) has questioned suggestions by rival economic think-tank the Nevin Economic Research Institute (Neri).

The FAC reiterated its call for the Government to make additional savings of €1.9bn over the next three years.

In its latest quarterly outlook, Neri said this week that the Government should only aim for €2.7bn worth of savings in December’s budget, rather than the planned €3.5bn; saying such a move would boost rather than cut employment and yield additional tax revenue.