Howlin wants to see lower budget cuts

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin favours an easing up on consolidation in next month’s budget, but added that spending cuts and tax increases will still be very tough.

“I’ve heard arguments that a full €3.1bn is both good for business and bad for business. I’ve heard economists argue that it might be both detrimental and positive to the economy and jobs. My own perspective is that I would like to see lower consolidation this year to allow economic recovery gather pace,” he said.

“That goal does, of course, have to be set against our key national objective to exit our support programme this year. Nor is it in any way inconsistent, I believe, with meeting our budgetary target of 5.1% for 2014 and 2.9% for 2015.”