Michael McGrath defends budget amid 'fiscal gimmickry' criticism

Mr McGrath said that people will be able to keep “more of their hard earned money” and that will help boost the domestic economy when they kick in in January. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Finance Minister Michael McGrath has defended the budget following criticism from the fiscal watchdog, arguing that the Government struck the “right balance”.

In its post-budget assessment, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) criticised what it described as an “everything now” approach which risked repeating the financial mistakes of the past.