The Government faces further problems over the Budget with one of the four Independent TDs supporting the minority Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrat administration threatening last night not to vote for the Finance Act.
Donegal South West TD Mr Thomas Gildea said he was still "very unhappy" with aspects of the Budget and will be seeking a meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to resolve "outstanding problems".
In addition, Fine Gael has tabled a private member's motion to be debated in the Dail tomorrow, calling on the Government to take steps to ensure full participation in the national pay talks. The motion is being supported by the Labour Party - the vote takes place on Wednesday.
Mr Gildea told The Irish Times the £3,000 tax allowance announced last week for spouses in the home minding children, the aged or the handicapped did not go far enough to balance the Budget measure favouring two-income households.
"There are still anomalies and I hope to see a bit more yet before I can vote for this. The £3,000 allowance does nothing for women in the home whose children are grown up," he said.
Mr Gildea also said he was unhappy that not enough was done in the Budget to relax the means testing rules for the carer's allowance. "I am hoping for more concessions there," he added.
Meanwhile, Independents Mr Jackie Healy-Rae and Ms Mildred Fox confirmed last night they would be supporting the Budget following the tax allowance announced by the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy.
Mr Healy-Rae said while everyone was still not satisfied, Mr McCreevy had improved matters. "I pleaded with the Minister to do something before I came home this weekend and he made a good attempt. I am prepared to accept what he has tried to do."
The Kerry South TD said he was also speaking on behalf of Ms Fox, who is in the US. "I have been speaking with her on the phone and she, too, is prepared to support this Budget." The fourth Independent supporting the Government, Mr Harry Blaney TD, could not be contacted yesterday. It is understood he took soundings over the weekend from his constituents to gauge the reaction to Mr McCreevy's Budget amendment.
Meanwhile, the Fine Gael Finance spokesman, Mr Michael Noonan, pledged that the first £170 of earnings a week would be exempt from tax if the party got back into government.
"Anyone earning the statutory minimum wage would not have to pay income tax. That is our primary policy plank," he said.