Noonan dismisses ESRI cuts warning

Warnings by the ESRI that Budget tax cuts could be premature have been dismissed by Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

The conservative economic think-tank intervened after Taoiseach Enda Kenny said raising the level at which low and middle income earners hit the top tax rate was a priority for the Government.

The ESRI’s John FitzGerald questioned the ambition, and urged the Coalition to stick to plans to impose €2bn worth of tax hikes and cuts in the October Budget unless the financial situation eases in the autumn.