INDEPENDENT TD Michael Lowry has said he is involved in a negotiation process with the Government over his support for the budget next week.
Mr Lowry said yesterday he accepted the magnitude of the financial crisis and was also aware that the Government had now focused on the necessary steps that must be taken.
However, he said his support would be contingent on its approach to a number of fundamental issues, in addition to some local questions concerning his North Tipperary constituency.
“The budget has to be fair and balanced and has to start on the home pitch and at the top with Government,” said Mr Lowry.
He said that the first hit had to be taken both by the Government itself and also by those who could afford it.
He said that he expected action to reduce the number of Junior Ministers and also the number of Oireachtas committees.
He also said that the anomaly whereby sitting parliamentarians in Dublin and Europe were simultaneously getting paid pensions for past ministerial posts had to come to an end.
There should be no exclusions or opt-outs, added Mr Lowry, saying that the seeming “untouchable” status of judges’ salaries also needed to be addressed.
Mr Lowry said he expected those who earned most to pay most, that there should be a total abolition of tax shelters, and that it was important that social welfare cuts did not apply to carers and old age pensioners. The status of Nenagh Hospital is also one of his key issues.
The Tipperary TD and fellow Independent Jackie Healy-Rae have agreed to support the Government in return for a number of constituency and other concessions.
Mr Healy-Rae said yesterday that the Government had been honouring its deal “well enough” in recent times.
“I am satisfied so far,” he said.
He added he was in discussions with chief whip Pat Carey on a number of specific items.
Independent Finian McGrath said that following the reversal by the Government on its promise to provide proper facilities for cystic fibrosis sufferers, he could not support the Government.
