Rabbitte: No U-turn on budget cuts

Government ministers last night stood over budget cuts as frustrated TDs came under pressure from constituents to demand a U-turn on some of the tougher measures.

Tensions ramped up between the Coalition over the weekend with one leading Fine Gael TD even calling on a Labour Party senator to leave his party. Party sources also did not deny reports of a walkout led by the Labour leader and Tánaiste from Cabinet talks last week over disagreements before the budget was announced.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte led the defence of cuts last night, particularly measures being taken by party and ministerial colleague Joan Burton to rein in the social protection bill. Ahead of further protests this week over the 20% cut to the respite care grant, Mr Rabbitte said it would still be reduced.