Fianna Fáil has said it is not issuing any threats or red lines to the Government over next week’s budget – but has warned that it won’t support anything just “for the sake of it.”
The party is set to continue talks with the Finance Minister on his plans over the weekend.
It is the fourth and final budget to be subject to the Confidence and Supply agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Speaking ahead of the talks this morning, the party’s finance spokesperson Michael McGrath said the Government has revealed that there is less extra money to play with than it previously suggested.
He said Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe may not have been aware of the situation until recently – but warned that he should have been.
Update on Budget 2020 https://t.co/z0qxgsjArz
— Fianna Fáil (@fiannafailparty) October 4, 2019
He said he does not expect ‘any rabbits to be pulled out the hat’ next Tuesday.
“The amount of money actually needed to stand still – before we make any new policy decisions – is far greater than the €2.1bn,” he said.
“That is certainly an issue and it makes it challenging for us to ensure that we can get the best possible outcome for the country and the people that we represent.”
He said this year’s negotiations have been more difficult than previous years – as the uncertainty over Brexit meant they started later than usual.
He said that undermined his party’s ability to push for the policies it wanted.
“We are not trying to issue any threats or red lines.
“We know the importance for Ireland of getting through this budget. The consequences [of failing to reach an agreement], let’s be clear about it, would be a General Election – probably in early November.”
He insisted however, that he will not be agreeing to anything “for the sake of it.”
“We are here today; we are available all weekend, we are available on Monday just to continue with it,” he said.
“We have done our business professionally in a business-like manner without any drama.
“It is the fourth budget, it hasn’t been easy; it is a frustrating enough place to be but it is for the greater good – that is why we are doing it and it is the last budget.”
The party is set to push for any money raised through carbon tax increases to be used for environmental spending and to combat fuel poverty.
It is also asking for comprehensive details on what support funding will be made available in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
