Lenihan tries to soften blow of budget

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan has made a last-ditch attempt to soften people up for today’s devastating budget, which will include drastic cuts in public sector pay, child benefit and social welfare.

Mr Lenihan insisted the €4 billion of cuts announced this afternoon would represent “the last of the very difficult budgets” – even though the Government will have to cut another €4bn next year and a further €3.5bn in 2011.

Fine Gael last night ridiculed what they saw as Mr Lenihan’s preemptive attempt at damage limitation and predicted a “budget of despair” for workers, families and the poor.