Fianna Fáil: Up budget spending on pensioners

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has placed fresh pressure on Fine Gael by insisting that the upcoming budget must include space for his party’s demands for increased pensioner and education spending.

Despite acknowledging the “constraints” on Government finances, the opposition leader warned his party “will not be making any apology” for prioritising the areas as budget negotiations gain momentum.

Speaking at the start of Fianna Fáil’s two-day think-in at the Seven Oaks Hotel in Co Carlow, Mr Martin said that while there is no reason for the budget to bring down the Government, it must include several of his party’s key aims because of its confidence and supply deal with Fine Gael.