Shortall: Budget 'very damaging' for Labour

Former Labour Junior Minister Roisín Shortall believes Budget 2013 will be very damaging for the party.

Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has had to try and calm backbencher nerves - over concerns that the wealthy weren't hit hard enough in the provisions on Wednesday.

Shortall says recent days have provided plenty of food for thought for Labour.

“Well I think the Labour party needs to consider what its role is in Government. This Budget and a number of provisions are going to be quite damaging to the party.

“I suspect a lot of pressure will be piled on in coming days to try and reverse some of the more awful aspects of the Budget.”