Who leaks the budget?

Butch Cassidy

There's been figures on welfare and min wage cuts that have come out which couldn't have just been dreamed up by journalists.

Who leaks these figures? For the last few years the leaks have been more accurate by the year. We're told that the figures can't be discussed in public debates by the govt. because of sensitivities or some such but why then leak them?

If they're leaked on purpose that's bad enough but surely if the figures are so sacred then those who leak should be tracked down and dealth with?

If the figures are overestimated then you could say that will "soften" the people up. If they're wrong then fair enough, someone's been making guesses. If they're right what's the purpose of leaking the budget?

Of course when the budget is delivered any protest or debate about it is moot while the arguments against public debate on it is brushed aside before hand with quips of "why not wait to see what the budget is before complaining about it"

Max Power1

IMO they are linked on purpose, and purposely overestimated to "cushion the blow"

EG: Rumoured 20% cut in dole, actual cut 10% - Paddy on the street reacts "good government". If the contrary, actual figure of 10% were leaked, public reaction is "bad government"

later12

They are leaked by senior civil servants, directly or indirectly, to the media. On some occasions TDs who, for some reason, have become a party to discussions on budgetary correction will also leak directly to the media.

Like others have said, this has a softening effect on the electorate. That was also part of the purpose of printing the national Recovery Plan in such detail today (of course there were other obvious reasons for doing so as well).

Having a range of difficult measures confirmed 'out of the blue' on Budget Day would be quite shocking for the public to deal with, and so leaks and pre-budgetary announcements are drip fed.

hardCopy

Most of it is leaked deliberately by politicians or on their orders, I'd say.

I'm sure some use it to get onside with particular journos.

Butch Cassidy

Again, today's budget is leaking like a loose pipe.

Jesus Wept

AFAIK accounting firms/accountants/payroll companies are sent a booklet which contains the details of the budget in the run up to budget day.

PeterIanStaker

FF leak it to their tame journo's on purpose to soften the impact. They're masters of lies and deception.

EGAR

PeterIanStaker wrote: »

FF leak it to their tame journo's on purpose to soften the impact. They're masters of lies and deception.

I think pretty much ALL of them are, regardless to which party they belong.

PeterIanStaker

EGAR wrote: »

I think pretty much ALL of them are, regardless to which party they belong.

FF are in power, therefore they are better liars.