Helena if petrol and diesel go up, transport goes up. meaning milk, bread etc increase in price. thats what im on about. Think about it. Its not good news, it will knock some of the reduction in VAT and Excise.

Tobacco should increase.

It is a fob like no doubt about it. So much more could have been done.

A job stimulus, etc are more important now, then trying yto get people to buy new cars whioch they cant afford cause they dont have a job. This is why the budget is a half-arsed fob.

Actually that’s incorrect. It IS a 20% cut. Noonan/Bruton tried misrepresenting this point – which kind of annoed me cos I like Bruton and would vote for Fine Gael next election ONLY cos of him….. but I won’t cos I could never vote for any party who would advocate Enda Kenny as a national leader. He’s outa his depth – Big Time !!! Hard not to cringe when he speaks.

“The reduction of VAT back to 21% was a good move, but maybe he should have taken a full per centage off it?”

Yeah, I agree.

“I agree with the cut in social welfare if you refuse a job.” Agreed, but not sure if that can be effectively implemented.

“The Bad: The budget is a bit of fob in my opinion. Its tokenistic to being green.”

I disagree. There’s way too many “green” measures to be described as tokenistic. E.g. Forestry, Electric Car/Van incentives, Water Metering, Car Scrappage Scheme (less carbon emmissions), Carbon Tax, etc. as well as the home “weatherising” schemes being compiled for implementation in new year.

“The forestry scheme (which was explained to me by Peter) is a complete and utter fob!”

Not if you see its dual purpose – both “green” and horticultural investment.

The scrappage scheme is like what the hell? Who wanted that?

Lstening to the head guy in the motor industry (SIMI), he said they are delighted cos it’s exactly what they were campaigning for prior to the budget. It was a great success last time it was implemented. It’s also a very good “green” incentive cos the 10+ years old scrapped cars emit lots more carbon than new cars.

“The cut in social welfare is hard to defend and as Suzy points out wont be as protested against as the Pension cuts last time.”

Why is it hard to defend? It’s only 4.1%. Much lower than was expected, and close to what was given in the 2008 budget – so it’s like just taking that back. And deflation means people are getting more for their money than last year anyway.

“The Carbon Tax then is another way of putting more excise on petrol and diesel and will actually increase the cost of everything as everything has to be transported.”

Not really. Cos with petrol costing more people will naturally go for electric cars/vans – and even more so now that there’s no VRT to be paid on electrics… so this is all good news.

“The 50c on the Medical Card Prescription Items is going to take a while to get used to.”

Don’t think it will break the bank – especially when there’s a ceiling of 10 Euro per month on it. After that further prescriptions are free.

“I am still still trying to fathom the drop in the excise on drink? Why did that happen?”

Cos according to a government survey of cross border shoppers, most people said they were mainly attracted by the cheaper alcohol prices in the North. The Vintners Association/Retailers said they are very happy with these reductions as part of a broader effort to reduce cross border shopping.

“Also why no increase in tobacco excise? ”

Cos the current high cost of tobacco has been an important factor in the recent growth of illegal cigarette smuggling.

“So thats my opinion. There is no doubt that this budget is a half-arsed fob.”

That’s a strong negative assessment considering you’ve asked a lot of questions about the various measures rather than rationalise why they’re negative.

I’d like to see a national government in place with Bruton, Linehan, Gilmore and a few more ……. definitely without Biffo, Mary Coughlan, Mary Harney and a few more.

Sorry for going on a bit, lol. Working nights this week and on a break. :0)

Good Blog. :0)