Budget reverts back to one-day announcement

The budget will revert to a one-day process this year, a move which could help Labour politically.

Last year, the budget was announced over two days, with Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin announcing the spending cuts on Dec 5 and Finance Minister Michael Noonan the tax increases on Dec 6.

Labour was perceived to have borne the brunt of the criticism aimed at the Coalition in the wake of the budget.