VICTORIA WHITE: We needed radical reform but got queasy compromises

THIS was the year we voted to protect children in the Constitution, but Budget 2013 has hit children most and disadvantaged children hardest.

Most people understand that really difficult choices had to be made, but a lack of political courage has meant that child benefit has still not been taxed. This would have meant working hard to integrate the taxation and social welfare data. It would have meant integrating both incomes of a working couple for tax purposes, so that the tax on child benefit could be calculated on top of a household income.

But it would have meant we could have targeted our few bob at the children who need it most. Instead, every child will lose €10 a month, no matter how difficult his or her circumstances.