Global events will shape economic and fiscal policy here

For any naïve fool who may have believed that this year’s general election might be characterised by economic and fiscal prudence, these are indeed worrying times.

Election promises are coming thick and fast, and the so-called fiscal space is being stretched to its very limits.

Sinn Féin produced a very wide-ranging and comprehensive election manifesto this week, but as with the others, its coherence is totally based on very favourable economic winds over the next five years.