Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy defends the individualisation measures in his budget on the grounds that a married couple on the average industrial wage will have an extra £40 a week take-home pay.

Michael Noonan of Fine Gael argues that this measure is socially divisive and will see Irish society change from one based on community and family to one based on the individual.

In a Prime Time Budget 2000 Special Brian Farrell speaks to Charlie McCreevy and Michael Noonan.

This programme was broadcast on 1 December, 1999.

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