“The latest Government Estimates are an appalling reflection of a Fianna Fáil Government that has lost all control of the economy and the public finances, and has lost the trust of the Irish people,” according to Fine Gael Deputy Leader & Finance Spokesman Richard Bruton TD.

Deputy Bruton was commenting on the 2010 Estimates of Receipts and Expenditure.

“The projections in these Estimates are frightening, with Ireland set to borrow more in the face of falling tax receipts, rising unemployment and soaring social welfare spending.

“The cost of servicing Ireland’s debt has shot up by €2 billion, a rise of 75%, while the Government dithers over cutting the cost of the public sector. The collapse in the Partnership talks means Fianna Fáil has lost its last chance to implement genuine public sector reform.

“Ireland’s borrowing requirement is expected to rise further to 13.5% of GDP, up from 11.75% this year. And these projections do not even include the additional borrowing that may be required if the Government decides to try to keep Anglo Irish Bank afloat.

“Tax receipts will continue to fall, dropping by a further €640 million because of the ongoing recession and the impact on tax receipts of the additional 75,000 loss in employment that the Government is predicting on the basis of its own existing policies.

“The lack of any plan to get the unemployed back to work is also reflected in the forecast of the €3 billion rise in social welfare spending.

“We need to get rid of this dismal Fianna Fáil Government. Fine Gael is the only Party to produce plans to get people back to work and get the economy growing again.”