Ibec chief warns Government against pre-election budget of 'handouts' 

Danny McCoy said Budget 2025 should be a long-term plan rather than a package of measures such as utility bill subsidies

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy: 'If we want to guarantee high living standards into the future, we must use this pre-election budget to look past short-term gains and clearly define where we need the economy to be in the coming years.'

Danny McCoy, the chief executive of business group Ibec, has warned the Government about any pre-election budget that would extend “handouts” to households such as continuing to subside utility bills.

The Government should instead think long-term and invest in businesses as global political tensions and trade wars mean that Ireland faces more competition to attract foreign direct investment, according to the Ibec chief.