Minister for Finance urged to fight poverty in December’s budget

The chairman of the CORI justice Commission Father Sean Healy has said narrowing the rich-poor divide is the greatest challenge facing the new Minister for Finance.

His remarks follow the publication of an EU survey, which found that the gap between rich and poor in Ireland is among the biggest of all member states.

Father Healy said Brian Cowen is now in a position to change this in December's budget.

He said the Government is to blame for financial inequality.