FG accused of threatening the electorate

Fine Gael was accused of threatening the electorate by claiming that a no vote in the fiscal treaty referendum would result in harsher budgets and young emigrants being “marooned abroad” for years to come.

Michael Noonan, the finance minister, said the budget would be “dramatically more difficult” if the EU fiscal compact is rejected on May 31.

He said if people think that by rejecting the treaty they will avoid further cuts and tax increases, “actually a no vote will do the opposite”.