Latest: Health Minister Simon Harris welcomes expected rise in cigarette price
There is expected to be a 50 cent hike in the price of cigarettes, bringing the standard price of a packet of 20 to €11.
The Health Minister Simon Harris welcomed the move, saying: "As minister for Health and indeed the Department of Health, we do believe there is significant linkage between price and consumption in terms of cigarettes.
"Obviously, matters relating to taxation are matters for the minister in the budget, but that's something that the Minister for Health, this one and previous ministers, welcome."
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that there remains “a few little things to tidy up” before Budget 2017 is announced later today.
The Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure will reveal the full details of the Budget in the Dáil this afternoon.
Key features will include a helping hand for first time buyers, higher welfare and pension payments and tax cuts.
But Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that while some negotiations are still to be finalised this morning, most of the Budget is agreed.
Here's what the Taoiseach had to say to reporters on his way into government buildings earlier #Budget2017 pic.twitter.com/fFRkwOr26E
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 11, 2016
“Just a few little things to tidy up, but obviously the two ministers will present the Budget at one o’clock, and it’s in accordance with the parameters set out and the fiscal constraints, the Programme for Government, and the agreement that we have with Fianna Fáil as the main Opposition party,” he said.
“So we’ve concluded the vast majority of discussions, and given the fact that we face many challenges ahead, including the consequences of the Brexit decision, this is a Budget that we have framed to have measures of Brexit-proofing, but also to create insofar as we can, a fairer Ireland.”
.@SimonHarrisTD says no issues outstanding over the health budget. It's all wrapped up pic.twitter.com/tIIBMkC9qG
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 11, 2016
Minister for Transport Shane Ross has insisted that the Independent Alliance has had a significant influence on the Budget, particularly when it comes to measures for older people and Brexit.
Shane Ross says late negotiation but they got their priorities - older people and Brexit - into the budget pic.twitter.com/ceC9N8yYvC
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 11, 2016
“The Budget isn’t the Budget until it’s actually finished, but as far as we’re concerned, the Independent Alliance has got its imprint all over this Budget, because we have negotiated a fantastic deal, I hope, for the senior citizens,” he said.
“Last night was so important because it’s so important to them that they get a restoration of the Christmas bonus. We were looking for 85%.”
Independent Alliance TD Kevin 'Boxer' Moran has said this morning that there remains some final Budget negotiations to be done with Fine Gael.
Kevin Boxer Moran with a message to all the haters who say the government doesn't have a plan #Budget2017 pic.twitter.com/bDZvRfcD3D
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 11, 2016
“It’s a great package, I believe, that we got,” he said.
“So we’re very, very happy this morning, particularly with the prescription charges, it’s absolutely enormous.
“It was late into the night, there’s still a small bit of negotiation to be done, but we’ll get that over now.”
When asked what will be discussed during these last-minute talks, he said: “Just a few little bits and pieces to get over the line.
“But we’re happy, we’re quite happy [with what] the Independent Alliance, I believe, has secured.
“I suppose a lot of people were saying that this minority isn’t working, now we can prove it is working, and the influence the Independent Alliance has.”
Mr Noonan will deliver his Budget speech in the Dáil at lunchtime, before Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe outlines how the minority Government will spend its limited resources.
Speaking this morning, Minister Donohoe has said it has been a busy few weeks trying to put together the Budget.
"I put in a long night last night, but all of the recent weeks have been full of such nights," he said.
"And it's very important with a Budget of this scale that we deal well with all of our colleagues to make sure that we have a Budget in place that reflects the breadth of our Government, but more importantly reflects the breadth of need in our country."
