Budget 2017: Independent Alliance forced to drop key issues on wish list

Independent Alliance ministers have dropped demands to abolish prescription charges and increase the fuel allowance in the budget, and instead want proposed welfare top-ups introduced as early as possible next year.

Last-minute negotiations are under way today to nail down agreement for tomorrow’s budget on how much pensioners, carers, widows, and others will get, and when, as part of the increases.

Government partners the Independent Alliance have now suffered a budget climbdown after spending options were provided to them on their wish list, by Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe.