Ministers accused of ‘dysfunctional dithering’ after key decisions put off

Ministers were accused of “dysfunctional dithering” as the Cabinet again put off key decisions and launched a Croke Park savings push branded “synthetic”.

No agreement was reached by the Coalition on cutting public sector allowances or the looming children’s referendum — despite both issues being on the Cabinet agenda for months.

Ministers did agree to ask all departments to “drill down” and assess by next Wednesday what savings could be made under the current Croke Park deal in the short term.