The Irish Government failed today to win trade union support for 2 billion euros in budget cuts. The Government doesn’t need the unions’ support, but failing to get it dents the social consensus which has helped drive Ireland to become one of Europe’s most prosperous countries and earning it the nickname of Celtic Tiger. The Government has promised to press on with the cuts despite the setback. The country is presently trying to fend off a downgrade in its prized AAA sovereign debt rating.