05/12/2011

Kenny Warns Of Deep Cuts In Budget

Today's Budget statement is expected to introduce draconian measures to cut costs.

This morning, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny addressed the nation ahead of the announcement of more austerity measures in Budget 2012.

He said the State is spending €16 billion a year more than it is taking in and that this afternoon's Budget 2012 announcement will see public spending cut by €2.2 billion, and that extra taxes must raise €1.6 billion.

Mr Kenny said that it "will be tough", and that "it has to be" and se said it will move Ireland towards a manageable deficit of 3% of our GDP by 2015.

Some 50 quangos will be abolished or merged, and the public sector will be downsized by 23,000 people by 2015 and that a referendum to abolish the Seanad will be held next year.

Transport and Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar has also warned the Budget is "going to be difficult", with what he described as "increases in taxes, cuts in spending and new charges which are going to be difficult for hard-pressed families to accept".

(BMcC)

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