The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is criticising the decision to reduce the top rate of income tax in the Budget.

The Finance Minister Michael Noonan announced yesterday that the level is being cut from 41% to 40%.

ICTU says the move, along with increasing the standard rate band by €1,000, is highly regressive.

David Begg is the ICTU general-secretary.

He says its a retrograde step which means less tax to fund public services.

For anything further on the Budget, you can check out our coverage on Newstalk.com:

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Michael Noonan's speech in full

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