€3.5bn budget plan to stay despite IMF admission

The Government will not reduce the planned €3.5bn adjustment in the budget, despite the IMF admitting it underestimated the effects of austerity on economies.

Enda Kenny told the Dáil yesterday: “We do not intend to change the ratios or figures we have already set out.”

He played down the IMF admission on austerity, instead pointing to other sections in the report about Ireland.