Tax surge to ‘up the ante’ for giveaway budget

Buoyant government tax receipts to be announced today will likely strengthen pressure for more give-aways in the looming budget.

Analysts expect a news conference to be hosted this morning by Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin will unveil another set of buoyant tax receipts, reflecting the quickening pace of growth in the economy.

Conall Mac Coille, chief economist at Davy Stockbrokers, said the tax figures will “up the ante” for political voices who will want the Coalition to deliver a very strong expansionary budget ahead of the election.