They might come across as besuited beancounters but members of the "Troika" overseeing Ireland's bailout are concerned about the most needy in Irish society.
Officials from the Troika, that being the European commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund, have urged the Irish government to minimize the burdens of financial adjustments imposed by the bailout that fall on those least able to meet those adjustments as represented in the upcoming budget.
This has been welcomed by advocacy groups such as Social Justice Ireland.
In a statement at the conclusion of the eighth quarterly review of Ireland's Bailout, the Troika stated: "The measures adopted in Budget 2013 should be durable, as growth-friendly as possible, and minimise the burden of adjustment on the most vulnerable."
"The key objectives of Ireland's EU-IMF supported program are to address financial sector weaknesses and put Ireland's economy on the path of sustainable growth, sound finances and job creation, while protecting the poor and most vulnerable."
This was one of the key proposals made by Social Justice Ireland in its meeting with the Troika during this review, the group said in its own statement.
"Budget 2012 was profoundly unfair as the poorest 10 percent of the population took a far greater hit than the richest 10 percent. Social Justice Ireland believes this situation is totally unacceptable and unjust and must not be allowed to happen again. Social Justice Ireland calls on government to protect the poor and vulnerable in Budget 2013."
