Was the 2010 budget presented last week by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan a fair one? Did it protect the most vulnerable in our society, or maintain the status quo for the wealthy? These are some of the questions that have been asked by the public, especially anti-poverty campaigners. And while the controversy continues, the effects of the budget will only really be known from next month when its measures come into force.
There is no doubt that the Government needed to make major cuts to put the economy on the road to recovery and prosperity. But rather than encouraging new and smaller businesses to generate more income, the budget instead swung an axe at public sector spending.
One justification for this is the Government’s claim that the cost of living has come down across the board. But while that might be said for public service salaries of over €30,000, there is no justification for the Government to target the most vulnerable in our society as was done last week. Cutting disability payments, restricting access to free dental treatment and imposing higher charges for prescriptions are not the actions of any right-thinking person.
Protecting the vulnerable in any society is the hallmark of any good government. Unfortunately, this cannot be said of the Brian Cowen administration, which has forced the poorest of the poor in our society to bear the major brunt of our economic meltdown.
news@metroeireann.com
