The Cabinet has decided on a shortlist of three areas in which it believes it can make the €3 billion savings needed for the budget.
The first option is to eliminate maths from the national curriculum. This would generate considerable savings and is favoured by Education Minister Mary Coughlan as “no one likes maths anyway and we’re no good at it.”
The second option is to eliminate health care from the health service. This has long been favoured by Health Minister Mary Harney and it is understood her Cabinet colleagues are afraid to say no to her.
The third option, which would generate by far the most savings, is to make permanent Senator Ivor Callely’s suspension from the Seanad. The Mire understands that there is no real appetite for this option within the Cabinet.
