UNITE calls for €3.1bn budget adjustment

The UNITE trade union is calling on the government to introduce more than €3.1 bn in adjustments in the Budget.

UNITE claims its proposals would help to stimulate the economy and make it easier to revive the economy.

"We haven't reduced the deficit anything in line with what was predicted a the time - if anything, we're increasing the deficit," General Secretary Jimmy Kelly said.

"It's only through ending the spiral of unemployment, paying out extra social welfare, emigration rising - it's only be stopping that spiral that we're going to bring the economy to where it needs to be."

The union is proposing that funds raised from the sale of Irish Life and Bank of Ireland bonds be used for new investment programmes.