Greens warn budget won’t pass if pensioners targeted

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan has been told state pension payments are off limits in his quest to find €6 billion in cutbacks.

His Fianna Fáil backbenchers, independent supports and, critically, the Government’s junior coalition partner warned him his budget will not be passed if elderly people suffer.

Green Party Equality Minister Mary White said all forms of pensions, contributory and non-contributory, must be protected.