Government gets go-ahead for €1.5bn giveaway budget

The Government’s spending watchdog has rubberstamped the Coalition’s plans for a giveaway budget but also warned that the public finances must be protected from future shocks.

Despite getting the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council’s approval for a €1.5bn spending spree, the Coalition yesterday formally agreed to EU rules not to exceed this in the budget.

In a U-turn since its last pre-budget submission, the council now says that a €1.5bn package is “within the range of prudent policies” for the economy.