Government accused of repeating past mistakes ahead of budget

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council says 'economy does not require additional stimulus'

Ifac warned increasing spending and cutting taxes could fuel more price rises. Picture: Damien Storan/PA Wire

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) has accused the Government of repeating past mistakes and ignoring its own spending rules as it prepares for the budget next month, saying the “economy does not require additional stimulus”.

The budget is due to be presented on October 10, with Finance Minister Michael McGrath having already said there will be €6.5bn worth of new measures, with €5.25bn going to extra expenditure and €1.15bn in tax cuts. Funding for once-off cost-of-living measures has also been muted but not agreed on yet.