Der neue Haushaltsplan

Für die nächsten vier Jahre ist folgendes vorgesehen:

- The minimum wage is cut by €1 to €7.65;
- VAT will increase 1% to 22% in 2013 and to 23% in 2014;- Corporation tax will remain at 12.5%;
- Public sector workforce to be cut by almost 25,000 to 24,750, bringing staff numbers back to 2005 levels;
- A reformed pension scheme will apply for new entrants to the public service, while new staff will be hired at a salary of 10% less than currently;
- A new student contribution to third level education of €2,000 a year will replace current charges, while a new €200 registration fee will apply to PLC courses;
- Water metering will be brought in by 2014;
- Carbon tax charges will double to €30 a tonne, raising €330m;
- A site-value tax will be introduced next year, rising to just over €200 per household by the end of 2014.

Lustig finde ich u.a. solche Sprüche, zumal Mr. Cowen und Kollegen es in ihrer Amtszeit geschafft haben das Land gemeinsam in den Ruin zu treiben:

“We are a smart, resilient, proud people and we are going to come through this challenge,” Mr Cowen said.

"It's a time for us to pull together as a people. It's a time to confront these challenges and do so in a united way,'' the Taoiseach said.

Last but not least:

However, he has pledged that those who have most will make the most contribution and those who have least will be protected to the greatest extent possible.

Read more: http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/huge-cuts-revealed-in-four-year-fiscal-plan-483084.html#ixzz16H8DO7C8