DUBLIN: Ireland's lawmakers narrowly voted Thursday to cut welfare benefits and debated a raft of other cost-slashing measures, but their efforts to combat Europe's worst deficit didn't stop the Fitch agency from slashing the nation's credit rating.
A legislative bill to cut payments to the unemployed, single parents, children, the blind and disabled passed on an 80-75 vote that reflected Prime Minister Brian Cowen's slim majority in parliament.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!