Originally uploaded by elbisreverri

There’s plenty to be depressed about after yesterday’s budget. For me, the most depressing thing is that I’m old enough, and responsible enough, to have to actually pay attention.

I preferred the days when I could switch off the telly or radio for the long speech/squabble and let someone else deal with it. But now, with a business to run, employees to take care of, and my own taxes to manage, I have to sit up and take note. Or rather, sit up, and watch as the government takes most of my notes and wipes their arse with them.

Having just come back from Australia – where the sun shone, jobs grew on trees, the wine was cheap, public transport worked and the surf was 200 metres from my back door – Ireland’s rain, persistent gloom and growing financial stricture is hard to take. Grab the Sunday Business Post this week to read me talking about the general exodus in that direction. Yes, entire families are cancelling flights home based on Irish headlines. Yes, the Irish are fleeing down under in their droves at the moment. And yes, they may be right to do so.

In a nutshell, here’s my initial Boo/Yay analysis of how the budget directly affects me.

• The 1% income tax levy. Boo.
• The 1% income tax my employees will have to pay, and the adjustment I’ll have to make in payroll. Boo for their loss, and the additional work for me. Boo.
• The €10 airport tax I’ll have to pay getting away from the Christmas I can no longer afford. Boo. Why don’t people with private jets have to pay it? Double Boo.
• No increase on diesel. Yay.
• Increase of 4% on motor tax. Minor Boo (I drive a commercial).
• Increase in the VAT rate. Boo. Means I also have to change my VAT rates on the computer. Boo again.
• 50 cents on a bottle of wine? I notice a pint of Bass hasn’t gone up a penny – Boo. Bertie still writes his notes in the margin, I suppose.
• 50 cents on a pack of cigarettes?  Yay. Cigarettes killed my father and grandfather. Tax ‘em up the whazoo.
• Taking away the elderly’s medical cards? Doesn’t affect me directly, but Boo. It will affect my grandfather, but as he manages his share portfolio online, aged 83, and is canny enough to stay solvent despite his love of horse racing, it’s more an annoyance than a survival thing. But taking away the elderly’s benefits? Boo, Brian. You git. Boo Boo Boo.  Think about things like this next time you choose a doctor for a prostate exam. There’ll be no lube on that prodding finger. Cutbacks, you see.