If the mini-budget relies mainly on tax increases on low to moderate incomes to reduce the budgetary deficit,one could be forgiven the cynical thought that it's not our government,it's theirs-the powerful vested interests in public sector unions,public sector professional associations like the hospital consultants and the army of bureaucrats in the quangos and the HSE.

A deficit reduction in the mini-budget comprised of two thirds spending cuts in wasteful spending and one third tax increases on the top third or so of incomes would be a reasonable balance IMO,given that increasing taxes in a recession/depression is the economic equivalent of kicking a man when he is down.

I invite P.ie readers to submit their estimates of the mix of spending cuts and tax increases: will it be say 70% spending cuts and 30% tax increases or 50/50,or 40/60,10/90 etc. Paddy Power should offer odds on this!