‘Socialist’ Ahern faces Estimates test

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern will have to demonstrate the strength of his newfound ideological beliefs today as the Government crucially sets out its spending priorities for the second half of its tenure in power.

Following the Taoiseach’s declaration he is a socialist, and after months of claims of a change in emphasis with Fianna Fáil in the wake of local and European elections, the Government will announce the true extent of its promised expenditure increases in health, education and disability services today.

Health spending is expected to rise by €1 billion next year to over €11bn, but social welfare increases will not be outlined until Budget Day on December 1.

Coinciding with the half-way point of the Coalition’s potential five-year term in office, exactly two-and-a-half years after the 2002 general election, today’s publication of the Book of Estimates 2005 will set the tone for the remainder of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats’ spell in Government.

But the Estimates programme is expected to be criticised by opposition parties for not going far enough and failing to live up to the mooted swing to the left by the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Brian Cowen said there will be no cutbacks in any Government services next year as he prepared to announce his spending plans for each department.

Ahead of the publication of his first set of abridged estimates since taking over from Charlie McCreevy, the Finance Minister said the Book of Estimates will show the Government is making every effort to meet the priority targeted improvements in spending.

Indicating significant initiatives will be confirmed today, Mr Cowen said there was no question of a Government spending spree and that reforms in the delivery of services still have to be delivered.

Also yesterday, Mr Ahern robustly defended his socialist credentials as he was questioned by Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins, who was surprised by the Taoiseach’s declaration of his political ideology at the weekend.

“Immediately, Tomás Ó Criomhthaín came to mind, as he lamented the last of the Blasket Islanders: ‘Ní beidh ár leithéidí arís ann’.

“I then thought: ‘Good, Taoiseach. There are two of us in it and we will go down together’,” Mr Higgins said.