Illegal budget gains

What a turn-up for the books! It’s hard to imagine Finance Minister Michael Noonan suddenly realising he could chop, possibly, up to €1bn from this year’s budget! A new crock of gold was discovered. I believe he can do it because of gains from certain illegal activities — ranging from fuel and drug smuggling to drug dealing and prostitution.

By passing on the fruits of these ill-gotten gains is Mr Noonan not condoning illegal activities? And, also, through passing on budget cuts achieved as a result of these exercises — is he not making the taxpayer an accessory to the fact, if they accept such cuts? !

James Gleeson