The Free State is also subject to EU economic governance frameworks (such as the Stability and Growth Pact and the European Semester). The government i mBaile Átha Cliath submits a Draft Budgetary Plan to the European Commission before hand. So, the EU calls the shots and the people of the 26 counties can suck it up.
And very briefly here are some of the 'crumbs' we are going to get.
• Total Package: €8.65 billion total (€7bn public spending, €1.65bn tax measures).
• Social Welfare: €10 weekly increase across general social welfare rates.
• Disability Payment: New €500 long-term disability cost payment.
• Fuel Allowance: Weekly rate up by €5; single pensioner threshold raised.
• Childcare: Fees capped at €550 per month.
Overall, there will be €1.65 billion in tax cuts and €7 billion in public spending. Key measures raise the standard tax cut-off point by €2,500, increase social welfare by €10 weekly, raise the minimum wage, extend fuel excise cuts, and allocate a record €29 billion to health. We should be aware that €1.4 billion will be spent in 2026 on military issues, for war and death; and €1.6 billion in 2027. This is our tax money.
Why are we increasing our military spend to assist Yankee and EU war mongering under false pretences? And it's being used as a further justification for ending our neutrality and sovereignty. Fianna Fáil agus Fine Geal have made houses a commodity for the wealthy and now our young can't afford to own a house. The housing crisis and homeless problem all economically engineered in the interest of the wealthy. We have astronomical rents and mortgage repayments, on top of a housing crisis. A crisis driven by the absence of public housing and the promotion of building houses for private financial gain. Our health services are a shambles, in spite of all the 'budgets' that have ever been. Why? Again, because large sections of our health service are modelled on profit not care. The public health sector is deliberately underfunded. We have the most expensive electricity prices in Europe so we can supply the corporate data centres, they should be subsidising our electricity.
The needs of the capitalist corporations are being fed first and our people are feeding off the scraps Multinationals and large private businesses reap the rewards of low taxation and cheap loans; in other words 'corporate socialism'. But the majority, the poor and working poor pay for it all. Look at your local area. Do you see the benefits of the now EU controlled ruling class budgets? Do you think you will see a massive change in 2027, 2028 and beyond? The evidence since the origins of the state would seriously suggest not.
The wealth created in the 26 counties alone by workers, in any one year, is astronomical. Workers never avail of the wealth they create. They get a pittance in comparison. It is long past time for change, real change where the working class have full access to the wealth they create and it's distribution. Bourgeois budgets can never 'cut it'.
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| Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig is an independent councillor on Donegal County Council. |
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