Politics

Michael McGrath: I’m tough enough to stand up to Fine Gael budget demands

The Fianna Fáil finance minister said he will not be ‘bullied’ by Fine Gael TDs

Gráinne Ní Aodha
May 24, 2023

Michael McGrath has faced calls to introduce tax relief for some workers. Picture: Collins

Michael McGrath has said he will be as firm as he needs to be during budget negotiations after Fine Gael TDs called for tax breaks.

The three Fine Gael junior ministers, including one in McGrath’s own department, called for a full-time worker on a wage of €52,000 to get €1,000 back in tax relief in the next budget.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Martin Heydon and Peter Burke argued that this cohort “deserve a break”.

When asked ...