Ireland's economy has proved remarkably resilient to Covid

Budget must be judged, not in terms of euros per week, but in terms of billions of euros next year

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath will prepare a budget against an economic backdrop that has improved over the past six weeks. Picture: Julian Behal

The Ministers for Finance and for Public Expenditure and Reform will present their budgets on Tuesday afternoon, against an economic backdrop that is much better than could have been hoped for even six weeks ago. 

This is not to downplay in any way the very serious impact of coronavirus and the restrictions on our personal lives and business activities. However, the Irish economy has proved to be remarkably resilient.