Coalition remains divided over budget cuts

Pre-budget Coalition tensions broke into the open as Labour again pressed for an easing of the austerity agenda.

After the “gang of four” inner Cabinet of the Economic Management Council (EMC) met, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore made it clear he wanted a roll-back on the planned €3.1bn tax and cut target for the Oct 15 financial statement.

“We are not into fiscal consolidation for the sake of it. We do it to get us over the line,” a spokesperson for Mr Gilmore said following the EMC meeting.