Budget battles off to an early start

The Coalition parties are already in dispute over methods of deficit reduction, according to political reporter Juno McEnroe.

THE debate over how much needs to be saved and what targets will be set for the budget will continue for some weeks to come. Budget kite-flying by ministers about which department and services deserve more is part of the political game at this time of year.

An important decision facing the Taoiseach and the finance minister amid the lobbying and mini-spats is how much needs to be saved across all the departments and agencies — and crucially, how much this will reduce Ireland’s fiscal deficit by in 2014.