As the Government’s National Surplus Bill, which seeks to establish a contingency reserve fund, comes before the finance committee today, Sinn Féin argues what is generally known as the Rainy Day Fund has little to recommend it.

Paschal Donohoe’s first budget was a bit like The Late Late Show — something for everyone in the audience, a stand-still patchwork quilt that is prudent and sober but lacking in ambition. It tinkers at the edges but fails to offer an overall vision for the future.

The Ministers from the various departments have given their press briefings on what the Government has billed as a budget developed as a national response to new risks and opportunities.