Wednesday, October 15, 2014
r a t s k r a d to We talk Love/Hate’s Charlie Murphy
at the Peaks of popularity
O’Shea’s lastminute goal earns Ireland a vital point SEE SPORT
«
« PAGE 5«
PAGE 14
«
PAGE 17
majority don’t Wash hands ProPerly
ebola kills medic in germany PAGE 10
«
noonan declares ‘end of austerity’
FINANCE Minister Michael Noo- by ed carty nan has declared the end of auster‘The road we have travelled to get to ity with the country’s first tax-cut and spending-increase Budget for this point has been very difficult and the Irish people have made major sacrifices, seven years. Less than two years from the but the policies pursued by this Governnext general election, Mr Noonan ment have worked and the recovery announced the first welfare hikes, in the Irish economy is well under way,’ income tax reductions and major he said. ‘The recovery has not spread across public recruitment drive since the the country yet and many families have economy’s spectacular nosedive. A range of budget measures an- yet to experience it. The Government is nounced yesterday have been wel- fully aware of this fact.’ Mr Noonan set the scene for the first comed. Among them, the deeply unpop- payback for a country crippled by bank ular Universal Social Charge debts. ‘This Government will not be re(USC) will be altered to take turning to the boom and bust model of 80,000 low paid workers out of the past that has spectacularly failed the the net. The top rate of income tax Irish people,’ he said. Outlining economic forecasts, Mr fell as expected by 1 per cent to 40 per cent while the band for the Noonan told the Dáil he expects GDP payment of the standard rate growth of 4.7 per cent this year and 3.6 moves from by €1,000 to €33,800 per cent next year. Unemployment is predicted to come down to 10 per cent for single individuals. Meanwhile, the 9 per cent Vat next year. Mr Noonan also confirmed a phasing rate for tourism will remain and out of controversial tax arthe 0.6 per cent tax rangements – known as the on lump sums saved ‘Double Irish’ – which alfor pensions will stop lows multinational compaat the end of 2014. nies to slash their tax bills With Ireland being by locating in Ireland. hailed as one of EuMajor global technology rope’s fastest-growand pharmaceutical firms ing economies, Mr have been able to use the Noonan insisted the scheme to save billions country would not of euro. return to the boomand-bust model of RELIEF WORKERS: Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin (left) and Minister for Finance Michael Noonan arrive at Government Buildings to deliver the 2015 Budget Picture: PA ‘Recovery’: Noonan the past. cOnTinuEd P4
«
Keep Dublin tidy – Please recycle this Metro Herald when you are finished with it