Budget 2020
Michael McGrath
European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection
Here is a video with some of the main points I made in my Budget speech in the Dáil yesterday.
As an opposition party, we agreed to facilitate a fourth and final Budget so as to avoid a general election in the middle of the Brexit crisis. It does not mean we support the government or that we endorse the Budget in its entirety. However, political stability is vital for Ireland at this time and we have to put the country first.
The backdrop to this Budget is a very challenging one. If we end up with a ‘no deal’ Brexit in the weeks ahead, it will have serious consequences for the Irish economy.
In return for allowing the Budget to pass, we secured progress on some key priorities which we will want to see delivery on. These include the recruitment of 700 extra Gardai, a €100m fund to tackle hospital waiting lists, an extra 1 million home help hours, more staff and school places in special education, funding for an autism plan, the recruitment of more therapists to allow earlier assessment of children with special needs and for therapy services, the extension of the help to buy scheme for first time buyers, modest tax reductions for the self employed and home carers and some improvement to a variety of enterprise tax schemes.
Where the government has really fallen down is in its lack of delivery. It has failed to secure value for money and to manage projects and public spending properly. We have had plenty of announcements and promises, but not enough action.
I look forward to a general election in the months ahead and to making the case for a change of government.
#Budget2020
Senior Broker at UPS
5 年your party should have made sure the tax payer was looked after .come election time people wont forget.all this about brexit im sick of it all.alot of scaremongering.im in the parcel business and it will give my company more customs entries but we are sett up for it long ago incase it does come through.
Retired at none
5 年Nice one, but I can’t forget those helicopters full of property developers jockeying for position over Ballybrit and those queues to get into the tent. Nor can I forget the nauseating sight of Financial Regulator Neary’s rapid and well paid departure from the scene. All done under Fianna Fails watch. The average punter will have forgotten all that by the next time around so you stand a good chance, being the nice clean cut guy that you are......
Executive Director at McCarthy Insurance Group
5 年Comprehensive and Concise, as always. Thank You Michael
Experienced Youth, Community Health Worker presently employed in developing and delivering information (YIC) to the young people of Donegal via Donegal Youth Service (DYS).
5 年Carbon Tax is so fair to the rural poor who have no public transport but need to drive to work or to live unisolated. Sure with the reduction in Battery Car prices (that arent eco friendly anyway?https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/03/the-dirty-secret-of-electric-vehicles/) for instance in Donegal with 3 charging points and no natural gas. In Donegal and Rual Areas We love Fine Gael Budget and that is whilst overseeing the worst homelessness housing health tusla gardai crime drugs education etc. problems the state has ever seen !!?
Retired at None
5 年Excellent Michael. Well done and drive on.??