We all know that Ireland faces an ongoing economic crisis; every family in the country has been touched by the economic downturn. We need a budget that sets us on a course to recovery, a budget that introduces the reforms we need but which does so in a way that is fair and is widely accepted as fair. Fine Gael offers that type of reforming budget for 2010.

A full breakdown of the Fine Gael’s Budget proposals can be found on www.finegael.ie or by clicking this link.

Fine Gael’s alternative budget is based on the core beliefs that:
1. We cannot tax our way to recovery
2. Politics must lead by example
3. Broadest shoulders should bear the biggest burden
4. Jobs measures are central to recovery
5. Protect services by cutting costs and bureaucracy
6. We must protect the vulnerable who cannot work
7. Mobilising the unemployed

The details include:
• €1.3bn in Pro Jobs Tax Cuts, Infrastructure Stimulus Plan + Youth Unemployment Measures
• Public Sector Pay Freezes, Cuts and Redundancies to save €1.7bn
• Low Earners, OAPs, Disabled and Children Protected
• High Earners to Pay More
• Carbon Tax, Windfall Levy on Power Generators & PRSI Changes to broaden the Tax Base

What Ireland needs and what Fine Gael offers is a reforming Budget designed to stimulate the economy and focus on creating new jobs and protecting existing jobs. We need taxation and spending changes that are fair and are accepted as fair.

Enda Kenny as Taoiseach will lead the country in a very different direction and will lead by example introducing major political reforms. Enda Kenny has committed Fine Gael to major political reform including abolishing the Seanad, reducing the number of TDs, cutting Ministerial salaries and reforming the public service.

Richard Bruton as Minister for Finance will rebuild the economy with fair and job focused budgets.