Leo Varadkar has promised workers will get more tax cuts in the years ahead as he faced criticisms for giving people a “cup-of-coffee budget”.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has given his first signal about budgetary plans, promising that up to 2m workers will get money back in tax cuts.

The Department of Finance has expressed disappointment at the continuing underperformance of tax revenues, but will be looking to May’s figures — traditionally a big revenue month on all tax fronts — as a better indicator for the full year.

The threat of a US government shutdown this weekend has appeared to recede after President Trump backed away from a demand Congress include funding for his planned border wall with Mexico in a spending bill.

The White House made its opening bid for what officials called the “biggest tax cut” in US history — with cuts that would benefit businesses, the middle class and certain high-earning individuals — but left unanswered questions about whether the plan would be paid for, or how.

Another economic think-tank has called on the Government to hold off on tax cuts in next month’s budget; saying the current fiscal space is too tight.

British Chancellor George Osborne is planning to cut corporation tax to less than 15% as part of a plan to give Britain a post-Brexit vote boost.

The Taoiseach is vowing further tax cuts if Fine Gael is returned to power after the general election.

Income tax revenue from high earners fell by 4.4% in 2013 due to a sharp decrease in the number of high net worth individuals liable for such tax.

THREE developments yesterday suggested that we should be very cautious about allowing expectations around the idea of significant pay increases gather a momentum that cannot be satisfied. 

The Troika gave the country’s economic progress a thumbs-up and maintained their advice that the Government should put unexpected extra income into cutting debt, rather than cutting tax and increasing spending.

The Government will prioritise tax cuts in the next budget to those earning between €30,000 and €70,000.

The main representative body for Irish oil and gas exploration firms wants to see more incentives for marginal field operators, as well as a lowering of the corporate tax rate for such companies, included in the Finance Bill later in the year.

The Taoiseach has said giving tax cuts to the self-employed will take a number of years to implement.

In the course of a strong attack on American businesses suspected of moving off shore to avoid taxes, US president Barrack Obama specifically mentioned Ireland as one of the havens during a television interview on the business network CNBC on Thursday.

A third-tier medical card mooted by Health Minister James Reilly must be paid for out of his department’s current budget, according to Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

Tax cuts have been promised by Finance Minister Michael Noonan as Fine Gael moved to shore up its vote in the looming elections.

The Government was wrong to promise tax cuts in next October’s budget as the uncertain economic backdrop makes it unlikely it will be able to deliver, according to a leading economist.

Siptu has vowed to press ahead with claims for pay increases in profitable organisations, in spite of reports the Government is to press for tax cuts in exchange for a pay freeze.

IN A country of petty injustices, why does nobody in authority mention them?