Austerity package of as much as €14bn may be needed to control Covid-19 debt, warns fiscal watchdog Ifac
Spending of billions to support the recovery over the next few years is the right thing to do, but a new government soon after will face “difficult choices” over cuts and tax rises if it is to meet pledges over Sláintecare and housing, the head of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Advisory Council has warned.
In its first major report since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, acting chair of the fiscal watchdog, Sebastian Barnes has sent out a message to the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael negotiators that they face tough choices if they succeed in putting together a new government.
