Michael Noonan defends 0.5% USC cut

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has defended suggestions the worst off in society may benefit by just €2 a week under budget USC reforms, as a Fine Gael colleague said councillors are in line for a €1,000 pay rise.

Mr Noonan outlined the position at the latest Fine Gael parliamentary party last night, during which he also definitively ruled out mooted tax plans to entice emigrants home.

In a short budget presentation to TDs, senators and councillors, Mr Noonan repeated the fact Government will have €1bn for tax cuts and spending rises next year.