Noonan rules out budget breaks for low earners

Budget tax breaks for low and middle-income earners have been ruled out by Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

As Ireland’s troika money masters arrived in Dublin for another 10-day inspection of the Government’s books, Mr Noonan stressed any financial “wriggle room” would be used to create jobs, not ease austerity.

Following remarks by European Commission president José Manuel Barroso that the austerity agenda had reached the limits of its support, Mr Noonan insisted the next budget, on Oct 15, would remain harsh.