EU budget vetting ‘risk’ to sovereignty

FINE Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton has insisted allowing EU ministers to edit future Irish budgets before they are seen by the Dáil risks “usurping” Ireland’s democratic autonomy.

Speaking at Cork City Hall yesterday, the opposition finance spokesman repeated his assertion that the controversial eurozone co-ordination proposal is a danger to the country’s economic sovereignty.

Under plans revealed on Thursday, the EU has requested that future national budgets for eurozone nations – including those of Ireland – are vetted by 16 ministers across the bloc to ensure they do not damage the wider economy.