Old reliables escape increases

Old reliables such as the price of a pint, petrol and diesel, motor tax, and VRT have been left untouched.

While smokers face the prospect of paying €10 for a packet of cigarettes today, Michael Noonan confirmed that cash-strapped consumers looking forward to a pint or a short at the weekend will face no such price hike.

“I am not raising taxes on alcohol. I am not raising taxes on petrol or diesel. I am not raising motor tax. I am not raising the Vehicle Registration Tax. I am not raising any other taxes because I am able to fund the costs of these reforms and incentives through improved tax revenues arising from economic growth and continued expenditure restraint,” he said.