Fianna Fáil: Noonan held up as ‘economic messiah’

Fianna Fáil has dismissed Finance Minister Michael Noonan being held up as an “economic messiah” as the opposition party launched alternative budget proposals which it claims are fairer for Irish people.

More money for public services, pension increases, abolishing water charges, and a €200m Nama fund for social housing are some of the alternative proposals from Fianna Fáil.

Finance spokesman Michael McGrath dismissed the Coalition’s work on the economic recovery as nothing more than continuing Fianna Fáil’s agenda when it was in government and that of the late Brian Lenihan. He also said a report that Fine Gael would cap welfare payments proved their policies mirrored the Tories in Britain.