Seanad vote on cuts will be tight

Coalition sources say this week’s Seanad votes on social welfare cuts will be tight but are confident of preventing opposition parties delaying the passing of budget legislation.

Social welfare cuts and savings in the budget will be debated over three days in the Seanad, with one veteran Fine Gael senator saying there will be “all-out war” between opposing sides in the house. However, Labour sources last night said they were confident the bill would be passed.

Fine Gael and Labour hold a minority in the Seanad when senators without the whip are excluded, giving the parties 29 votes out of 59. The 60th member, the Cathaoirleach, has a discretionary casting vote if numbers are tied.