Budget speculation 'unhelpful', says Tánaiste

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has warned the Coalition about needlessly worrying older people as the Government starts to weigh up Budget options.

Less than a week after he urged an end to rumours and leaks of cuts or taxes, the Tánaiste was forced to react over speculation about harder taxes for wealthier pensioners.

The row was sparked when Fine Gael Junior Minister Brian Hayes suggested Labour’s Social Protection Minister Joan Burton target well-off older people.

“We will have our Budget in December and we won’t be making budget decisions until close to then,” the Tánaiste said.

“I think that speculation about what may or may not be in the budget between now and then is unhelpful.

“I think that we need to be careful that we are giving undue cause for worry to people who are worried about speculation that they are seeing.”

Ms Burton dismissed Mr Hayes’ remarks. He has defended his stance and insisted it is a personal view.

The Tánaiste added: “I understand he was expressing his own view. But I think that the approach, the settled approach in government, is we avoid or minimise speculation about what is in the Budget for the very good reason that we haven’t and won’t be making decisions on budgetary matters until closer to budget day itself.”

Mr Gilmore was in Belfast where he signed a book of condolence for Ulster rugby player Nevin Spence who died in a slurry pit accident along with his father Noel and brother Graham on the family farm.

He also met Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers in Hillsborough, a few miles from the Spence farm on the Drumlough Road.