Kites may fly but don't expect any surprises in Budget 2017

Budget day is no longer shrouded in secrecy. We’ve come a long way since 2003, when the then minister for finance, Charlie McCreevy, launched decentralisation on an unwitting populace in his budget speech. Not all of his cabinet colleagues knew what was coming.

This year, it will be a surprise if there are any surprises in budget 2017.

Minority government in Ireland is by no means unusual.