End public budget battles, says Kenny

Enda Kenny tried to re-assert his authority over the Cabinet by insisting ministers should stop fighting budget battles in public.

After three days of turmoil for the Coalition which have seen ministers openly disagree over key policy issues such as Croke Park, income tax, and welfare rates, the Taoiseach effectively told ministers to “shut up” and stop talking to journalists.

A series of communications disasters has seen the Government appear at odds as Mr Kenny himself flatly contradicted three ministers who warned that the Coalition could not guarantee keeping its commitments not to raise income tax or lower welfare rates.