The emergency budget - The hardest decisions were dodged

THOUGH the income levies are to be doubled and imposed at lower salary levels, mortgage interest relief is to be scaled back, the Christmas welfare bonus axed and plans for means testing of child benefit are afoot it is very difficult not to think that the insatiable monster in the corner has not been confronted.

That it has not even had its chin tickled.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan had the onerous task yesterday of introducing the toughest budget in the history of this young and weakened Republic.