Manifesto Check Fianna Fail, Budgetary measures

Sorry for the delay in getting back to the manifesto checking but better late then never. I would also like to thank the reader who sent me on the Fianna Fail manifesto. The Fianna Fail manifesto had the by line A lot done More to do. So how much more is left to be done.

From the manifesto

Keeping down Inflation

• Fianna Fail regards it as essential to maintain low inflation, in order to ensure our continued competitiveness. Fianna Fail will support increased competition particularly where direct benefits will accrue to consumers.

With ESRI predicting that inflation will hit 6% in January. This part has clearly failed. Also with Fianna Fail unwilling to promote competition in various things like electricity generation, pub trade etc this is also a failure.

Keeping those on low incomes and the minimum wage out of the tax net;

This was achieved in the last budget.

Achieving the situation where 80% of taxpayers pay only the standard rate;

Emm I am not sure about this part the government says that the last budget did this but I am not sure. Anyone got some figures to support this. I would be very doubtful that this has been achieved.

We will establish a training fund of up to €2,500 per person for unemployed people facing very serious barriers to employment.

This does seem to have been done.

We will work to generate the resources to achieve our new benchmark level of €150 for social welfare payments.

Budget €185.80 lowest rate. Done and beaten.

We will increase the basic state pension to at least €200 by 2007.

Done this year but considering inflation has risen higher then they thought it is less then they thought. So done in name only.

Providing for future liabilities is an essential part of sustaining confidence in our economic management. Fianna Fail will continue to set aside, as required by law, 1% of GNP to provide for future pension obligations. We will not entertain any proposal to divert these funds to current use.

This is also being done.

Overall it seems to be a lot done of what they said they would do. But spending money is easy when you have it.

Over all I would give it a 8 out of 10 with points being deducted for inflation.  (i have given the PD’s a score as well. I will try and give every Check a score and see how they score in the end)