Cutbacks of €2bn in current spending, €1bn in capital expenditure and tax increases of roughly €2bn. There was always going to be political fallout from Tuesday's budget. Here we focus on nine of the budget decisions and rate the likely political damage each thong on this cat o' nine tails is going to inflict on the government.

1 The removal of automatic medical cards for the over 70s

Economically, the decision may have been justified (privately, virtually every TD in the Dáil accepts it should never have been introduced in the first place); politically, it's been disastrous for the government. OAPs vote and they tend to vote for Fianna Fáil. They also attract a huge amount of sympathy from the wider public.

The total confusion in the aftermath
of the announcement certainly hasn't helped. All discontent at what was a fairly savage budget seems to have concentrated on this one decision. The revolt from the backbenches is the biggest since Charlie McCreevy's individualisation budget and, given it has already cost the government one deputy, is even more significant. Cowen has perhaps bought some time with his offer of compromise on Friday night but it's certainly not the end of the crisis.

Potential to damage government: 10/10

2Class sizes
The cutbacks mean that from next September primary school enrol­ment will be based on 28 pupils per class rather than 27, leaving the country with the most overcrowded classes in the EU. The teaching unions won't let this one go and it was cited by Joe Behan as a factor in his decision to quit Fianna Fáil. While embarrassing for the government, it's hard to see it leaving too many permanent scars.

Potential to damage government: 4/10

3Increase in A&E charges to €100
The government clearly wants to discourage people from going to A&E, but there are times when doing so is unavoid­able and this charge is going to be painful for those who have to pay it. As a decision, it was never going to provoke sustained, organised opposition, but it may fester away with some voters.

Potential to damage government: 5/10

4Rise in student registration charge
It didn't get too much publicity last week but the €600 increase per third-level student from next September is not going to go down well with middle-class families, especially those with a couple or more children at college. A slow burner but a decision that could cause real resentment (although it could yet be overshadowed by a return of third-level fees next year).

Potential to damage government: 6/10, rising to 10/10 if fees are brought back.

51% income levy
The government's decision to apply this across the board – including those currently outside the tax net – has left it open to accusations of hitting the most vulnerable in society. The government's point that 34% of taxpayers pay no tax, and an effective tax rate of 1% for them is hardly penal, has validity. But politically, this decision won't be well-received by low paid workers.

Potential to damage government: Hard to assess the long-term impact. Will it be forgotten? Maybe, maybe not. 6/10

6Car park levy of €200
Another decision that was totally justifiable – free car parking is a benefit in kind and should be taxed as such – but that doesn't mean it won't be hugely unpopular with those who have to pay it. It's funny how seemingly everybody affected seems to be completely unserviced by any form of public transport.

Potential to damage government: On its own, not much, but it may reinforce feelings of discontent. 5/10.

7Property tax on second homes
Like the parking levy, there is solid justification for this decision (which could net cash-strapped local authorities €80m a year) but it won't be well-received by property investors already facing a sharp decline in the value of their investment and may help reinforce any feelings of ill will they bear the government.

Potential to damage government: 5/10

8€10 air passengers tax
A pain for air travellers but hardly much more that. There has been some focus on the fact the 300km radius applied to the €2 charge discriminates against Cork, Shannon and Knock
airports which are further from Britain. But not even the Shannon lobby could sustain a campaign on this one… could they?
Potential to damage government: 2/10.

9Child benefit restrictions
The real decision on whether to means test has been put off for now, but there were restrictions introduced on the €1,100 a year childcare supplement and on child benefit for 18-year-olds.

Potential to damage government: 1/10, but this rating will soar if the cabinet goes for more radical restructuring of child benefit next year.