Independents pile on pressure for concessions

MEDICAL card holders have had their tax burden reduced, but key independent deputies demanded more concessions to allow the Finance Bill overcome its first major hurdle at midday.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan made some last-minute changes to the bill which he said made it fairer. And he claimed it was of no political advantage for Fianna Fáil to push through the legislation, but the country needed it.

He warned his Dáil colleagues that until the bill passed through the Oireachtas the “eyes of the world will be looking at us”.