The Minister for Public Expenditure has said it is “inevitable” the Government will have to examine ways to raise extra revenues to fund expanded State services in the wake of Covid-19. While saying there is no current plan to raise taxes, Michael McGrath said said: “We have to keep our options open. Some interventions will be temporary, but “we have also made decisions that will result in a permanently larger public service”, he said. “That will need to be paid for within an overall framework that is responsible and sustainable,” he said, adding that the Government is “placing a priority on the provision of good public services, and that’s something that I strongly believe in”. He expected churches to be open for Christmas week but warned there will be no “going on the lash”.

Source: The Irish Times November 14, 2020 00:56 UTC