Bottom drawer policy

PAT RABBITTE’S dismissal of concerns about the cost of his stamp duty proposals raises questions about his fitness for government.

Last weekend, he waved away questions with a flippant remark about finding the money somewhere “in the bottom drawer”. Given that the sum needed is €250m in the first year alone, it suggests fiscal policy is being conjured up on the fly or he doesn’t seriously rate his chances of getting the job. It does not augur well for the economic competence of an “alternative government”.

Luke Martin