2017 is not shaping up to be a good year for the Government’s finances, other than their own personal ones, that is.
The permanent scrappage of water charges would leave a gaping hole of about €300m in the public finances, as yesterday’s Budget did not make any provision for such eventuality.
Labour leader Pat Howlin has said that the shortfall would need to be bridged through additional taxation (thus further negating any ‘concessions’ that the Budget made in terms of USC cuts and the pittance given to the elderly), and that a mini-budget may be called for at the time.