The two big ticket items covered in today’s Budget 2015 speech by Michael Noonan were changes to the tax regime and measures to off-set the impact of the water charges.
Here’s what Twitter thought:
#Budget15 Less USC and higher income tax band...noice! Money back on water charges...how about not charging in the first place???
— Twinkle Twinkle (@_Little_Bat) October 14, 2014
Its official wine is going to be cheaper than water #watercharges #Budget15
— Amy Holian (@Amyholian) October 14, 2014
How is income tax relief on water charges up to €500 when we were told water charge would cost €240? #waterbaby
— David Hall (@davidhall75) October 14, 2014
Introducing a layer of bureaucracy on water charges before we even get a bill? Don't get that. #Budget15
— Gerard Sheehy (@GSheehy) October 14, 2014
Less Water. More Booze! #Budget15
— Gráinne Glenny (@GrainneGlenny) October 14, 2014
No change in tax on alcohol yet introducing a charge on water?-Pretty much encouraging us to get on the wine! 🙈🍷 #GovernmentLogic #Budget15
— Erin (@ErinRachel_x) October 14, 2014
Lowest earners being removed from the USC net - so yiz can pay your water charges and stop complaining #Budget15
— Laura Mahon (@lauramah0n) October 14, 2014
Lmao family have extra 100 euro in their pocket..but then taken away by water charges hilarious stuff #Budget15
— Kevin O'Hara (@HaraoharaO) October 14, 2014
No tax on potatoes but 5euro incentive to have more children. #budget15
— D3ckster2008 (@D3ckster2008) October 14, 2014
A real pity the child benefit increase isn't targeted. Then we could have reduced tax pressures on the self employed. Priorities #budget15
— Michael Ward (@MicMacW) October 14, 2014
No tax on alcohol, I stopped reading after that bit! #Budget15
— James Cooke (@ricblaine72) October 14, 2014
No extra tax on booze or petrol/diesel, panicky crowds ye may disperse, no need to stock up!! #Budget15
— Gabriel H (@gibbly1987) October 14, 2014
Not too bad overall. Thought it was a mistake to lower the higher rate of tax but that's tempered by the new higher USC rates. #Budget15
— IamFericho (@IamFericho) October 14, 2014
If the Irish government could implement a tax on tweets regarding the Budget they'd bring in a fortune #budget15 #hereisanotheone
— Ian Falconer🦒 (@IKFalconer) October 14, 2014