‘Flashy show’ conceals two different Irelands of the Government’s making

OPPOSITION parties have accused the Government of spending the country’s bumper revenues to buy votes instead of investing them in tackling the inequalities in society.

Fine Gael’s finance spokesman Richard Bruton described the Budget as a “flashy show” designed to distract the public and conceal the reality that the Coalition’s reign had created two separate Irelands, one where the well-off flourished and one where those on low incomes were starved of essential services.

“We have created an Ireland of private wealth and public waiting,” he said, arguing the public were still waiting in vain for the Government to fulfil promises of an end to hospital waiting lists, of smaller class sizes, affordable homes, efficient public transport and zero tolerance on crime.