Who will benefit from unexpected €3.5bn find?

CAN it be a coincidence that the €3.5 billion which the government now tells us it overestimated the national debt by last year is so close to the figure due to be taken out of the economy in the coming budget?

Can it also be a coincidence that we were delivered this news on the eve of €750 million being handed over to unguaranteed bondholders in Anglo Irish Bank?

In view of this unexpected financial bonus in our government coffers, can we now take it that the household and water charges — due to be foisted on many poor and unprepared families around the country in the budget — will now be put on hold again? Or will the unguaranteed bondholders at Anglo continue to be the only beneficiaries of this Government?