Budget to pass 'with welfare cuts'

GOVERNMENT CHIEF whip John Curran said the Department of Social Protection was not immune from cuts but he remained confident Fianna Fáil TDs would back the upcoming budget.

Mr Curran said party members were concerned that vulnerable members of society and front-line services were protected “in as far as possible” when “very, very significant” reductions were made.

“The Department of Social Protection is not immune to cuts unfortunately. There will be cuts in that area and there will be choices to be made . . . but no final decisions have been made in any of those areas.”

Asked how confident he was that all his party TDs would support the budget, Mr Curran said: “I’m as confident this week as I was last week. I’m very confident that we’ll pass the budget on December 7th, yes.”

Speaking to reporters last night about ongoing private pre-budget briefings for backbenchers from Ministers, Mr Curran said “a whole range of options and choices” were being put forward at the meetings.

“There will be choices to be made, they’re tough choices and they’re not always palatable, but it’s important that Ministers who are going to make decisions have listened and heard the views of our party members.”

Mr Curran said individual party members had very strong views on a range of areas and “considerable dialogue” was continuing between Ministers and backbenchers.

He said the Green Party was “inputting into this process”. He added: “It’s not a question of one person, it’s a collective decision by Cabinet and also from our own party members.”

The full Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting is scheduled for 11am today. Yesterday backbenchers were briefed on transport, agriculture, community, equality and Gaeltacht affairs.