McGrath's forecasts raise election temptation to spend unwisely and cut taxes, experts warn

Finance Minister Michael McGrath outlined something of the tax riches flowing into the coffers: Strip out the "windfall" tax revenues, and the State still ends up sitting on on a €4.4bn budget surplus next year. 

The latest economic projections from Finance Minister Michael McGrath confirm record levels of tax revenues are set to flow the Government's way, marking the Irish exchequer as among the wealthiest in Europe. 

The question is whether the coalition can resist the dangerous temptation to spend big and cut taxes before the next election.