CONSUMER
Ireland's budget takes to the Web
05-12-2000
by Aoidin Scully
The Internet will play a significant role in Budget 2001 on Wednesday with several sites featuring on-line coverage of Finance Minister Charles McCreevy's final package.
The Sunday Business Post has developed a microsite, BudgetForum.com to house on-line radio-style broadcasts to cover the key issues raised by the Budget.
"The idea is that for those who don't want to sit through an hour long TV or radio debate on the implications of the Budget, they can simply log onto the site and listen to the parts which are most relevant to them," said John Dunne, New Media Manager at the Sunday Business Post.
The site already houses the submissions of 60 lobby groups, organisations, and political parties, along with articles and comments on those submissions. A panel of experts will discuss all aspects of the Budget on Friday.
Ireland.coms's Net Effect guide was developed in association with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. The on-line interactive tax calculator assesses the impact of the latest direct and indirect tax changes on your pocket or purse, by asking such soul-searching questions as how many cigarettes and pints you consume in a week.
Alternatively, you could ask the experts, as on the day after the Budget, Thursday 7 December, a panel of tax experts including Francis Farrell from PricewaterhouseCoopers and Irish Times finance journalist, Margaret E. Ward, will be available on-line to answer Budget-related queries. The special Budget site will also feature the Minister's speech, an opinion poll and a discussion forum.
The Examiner has pulled together a dedicated team to service its Budget 2001 site, which will feature detailed coverage, a build-up and predictions sections, on-line feedback, reactions and an opinion poll.
RTE Online will provide Budget previews and analysis, as well as the full text of the Minister's speech. The site will also feature live streams of reaction and analysis in real audio and video from business, trade unions and other groups.
Finally, the Department of Finance site is eschewing interactivity in favour of comprehensiveness. The full text of the Minister's speech, as well as the four Budget-related documents will appear in full on the site around 5 pm on Wednesday.
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