Tensions are rising between the main coalition parties over the budget.
Tanaiste Michael Martin told the Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting last night that junior ministers writing newspaper opinion pieces 'was not helpful' and 'undermines' the budgetary process.
He was referring to a call from three Fine Gael junior ministers for a €1,000 tax break for workers in the next budget, and said the government would make 'collective decisions'.
However Fine Gael TD Colm Burke says the tax relief has been proposed for some time.
"I think it's time we give some relief for middle income earners, and this is what we are talking about doing.
"It was part of the Programme for Government, so there's nothing new in what was being said.
"The target was that you would not pay the higher rate of tax until you earn €50,000 or more."
