Independent Alliance ‘feels taken for granted’ on budget

Government partners the Independent Alliance are refusing to back Leo Varadkar’s first budget, after a row over supports for the vulnerable and gambling taxes going on mental health services among other areas.

The five alliance members — Transport Minister Shane Ross, Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath, Skills Minister John Halligan, OPW Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran and whip Sean Canney — left negotiations with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe last night, declaring that “not enough was on the table” after most of their 30-item budget wishlist was shot down.

“It certainly feels like we are being taken for granted,” one member told the Irish Examiner last night following a face-to-face meeting with Mr Donohoe.