Martin denies competition between coalition parties on the budget 

Tánaiste Micheal Martin said the coalition was focused on cutting taxes as set out in the Programme for Government, he said his party's focus was on 'fairness' and indicated he would favour easing burdens on lower-paid workers.

The Government must work "coherently" to put together a budget but there is no competition between coalition parties, the Tánaiste has said.

Micheál Martin was speaking in Cavan where he said there was "a process for putting together a budget" and that July's Summer Economic Statement would decide the size of the spending increases and tax cuts to be made in October.