Labour brands Finance Minister an ‘apprentice’

FINANCE minister Brian Lenihan has been branded an “apprentice” whose €2 billion savings package will not improve the state of the economy.

The opposition rounded on Mr Lenihan yesterday as he steered legislation through the Dáil which is required to introduce the public service pension levy and cuts to the childcare supplement. The Labour Party’s finance spokesperson Joan Burton said the bill the Government has called financial emergency measures in the public interest would not improve the outlook.

“The minister for finance is in many ways an apprentice and has been thrown in at the deep end. He doesn’t induce confidence particularly with the opposition in this house.