McGrath pledges October budget sums will be in line with summer spending plans

Finance Minister Michael McGrath said October's budget would be 'consistent' with the package laid out this summer.

Finance minister Michael McGrath has defended his plans to breach a key Government rule, saying that he has to take inflation into account in shaping the upcoming budget.   

The remarks come after the watchdog, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, last week warned about the credibility of the Government's budget plans after Mr McGrath unveiled spending growth plans in 2024 that exceed the 5% growth ceiling on expenditure.