The poll is a difficult one to answer as the options are limited.

In terms of increased tax take, I see it as yet another example of this government targeting the 'masses' and leaving out the privelleged few. By this, I do not mean those on high salaries, but those who are not in the tax net or get exceptional tax breaks.

Horse breeders, artists earnings (look at U2 for example), tax exiles, non-doms etc etc.

If this were not bad enough, we the tax-paying masses who contribute the most are to take on the liability of so called toxic debt of the banking system. And what changes are required of the banking system? What personel changes in the banking system are required? What penalties and liabilities are those who run the banks being faced with? What regulation is being put in place to ensure no repetition of the last 18 months?

It is widely acknowledged by everyone except this government that there is widespread wastage in the public sector. Are those employed in the public sector being encouraged to come forward with examples and information on wastage? Encouraged to put forward ideas to resolve these issues? Is the wastage being addressed? Are the public services being changed? Was there any word of looking for better value for money for the tax payer in this budget?

In summary and in my humble opinion, this budget was one of panic and short term thinking with no regard or consideration to A) putting things in place to build upon for the future. B) Getting better value for the tax-payer through long overdue public sector reform. C) closing loopholes for the very wealthy to avoid tax. D) Increasing the tax net at the top end of society. E) helping the economy overall.

Perhaps the most important of all the things the budget could have and should have looked at, is the instigation and implementation of measures which will help the economy to grow in the mid to long term.

Indeed, quite the opposite. A budget of screwing the already hard-pressed tax payer even more. Leaving cosy relationships in place and doing nothing to help build a better Ireland with opportunity and equality.

But hey, what did we actually expect?

Zebedee

I dont think it was as bad as it could have been, but I am so angry at the way banks are behaving. We the taxpayer are bailing them out and how do they repay us? By refusing (some) to pass on ECB interest rate cuts and demanding that people pay off overdrafts and personal loans immediately. I have an overdraff of 1000 and I have been receiving threatening letters/phone calls and texts in an effort for them to suspend my OD facility and claw back the money! I have heard of loads of people that this has happened to. I can afford to pay off the overdraft if I want, but I simply chose to have my wages paid elsewhere for now, why should I suit them and not myself?? They were happy enough to provide it during the boom when they could go on indefinitely charging OD fees. NOW they decide they want it back?

Buzz,

Tell them you've already paid it several times over through your taxes which have been used to re-capitalise them and ask them, as a tax payer and therefore shareholder in their bank, what is being done to recoup the outstanding and defaulting loans to developers and friends of the Galway tent?

Zebedee

zebedee and buzz,

agree with you.....but I voted unsure because I thought the question was 'letting people off the hook' !!

This budget...in my opinion....displays the contempt and corruption that is rife in the upper echelons of society here....no more, no less!  Any one who thinks otherwise is either on 'fairy dust' ....or is on the gravy-train being subsidised by the idiot 'captured' tax-payer !

Brilliant! I LOVE it! :)

I know that the Budget was very challenging, however, something had to be done as the country is in a serious state presently.  BUT I do resent the Government bailing out the Banks with my money, for so many years the Banks have been so greedy, taking every last penny they can and it didnt bother them either where it came from, so yes I do resent having to bail out the Banks now - The Bank heads should be made redundant immediately, well not redundant, as that would meant that they would get a payoff, they should be just sacked for not doing their job - end of story. 

Oh dear I just realised how open to interpretation my last post is! Of course, when I say "I love it" I refer to the proposed letter to my bank, not the budget!

Buzz - you may be angry at the Banks but I am angry at the Government for allowing them to do what they have been doing and now they are making us bail them out - these are the friends of government who benefited from soaking up the money when it was flush and now they want to take more of our money. As a former FF voter - never again - they have screwed me and my family.

Well to be honest Anon I dont think think either of them are worthy of gold medals based on their conduct.

We cant just blame those who facilitated the act, we also need to blame those who committed the act ie BOTH.

There was no incentives for job creation in the building and motoring industries or anywhere. Two very very labour-intensive industries. And we need to create jobs. The VAT fiasco from the last budget should have been reversed to stem the flow of cross-border shopping. The christmas bonus should be re-instated for social welfare recipients.

Rubbish !!

the scary thing is that they have commissioned a report on the earning of the higher paid in the public sector. This will result in negative benchmarking for the highest paid.

The scary thing is that this will then be used to reduce wages accross the public service. An increase in pension levy will result at the very minimum.

We as a country cannot cover the cost of 55 billion expenditire by hitting those that are already to the pin of their collar.

They could have increased corporation tax from an artificially low of 12.5% for homegrown business, ie retailers, banks, insurance companies etc.....maybe kept it at 12.5% for foreign direct investment ONLY.

Or a 2% levy for 3 years on corporate profits !!!

The car scrappage deal was a no-brainer !! ( dept of finance ) and cutting stamp duty for 2 years again a no-brainer to safeguard employment.

I guarantee there will be over 500,000 unemployed by year end. The annual cost of 20,000 including taxes foregone IS AN understated figure. It is closer to 30,000

We as a country need to stop generalising. That is my hope.

All public servants are overpaid - untrue

All unemployed are milking the system - untrue

All public servants abuse their sick leave - untrue

All second homeowners are wealthy - untrue

All developers are to blame - untrue

All bankers are to blame - untrue

All middle income earners can take a "fair" hit - untrue

The Dept of Finance need to seek qualified external help in drawing up budgets. They have proved out of their depth in the last 18 months. We NEED to stimulate the economy somehow and this will generate extra income also through VRT, VAT, Excise duty, Income tax etc.....

Every single person in this country has specific circumstances to them. We all need to fight for good wages and a good standard of living. If we don`t we will go from a high wage economy to a low wage economy VERY QUICKLY.