'Bad budget' could impact outcome of presidential election

Independent presidential nominee Catherine Connolly will 'sail through' if public expenditure minister Jack Chambers doesn't loosen purse strings

Several Government sources have contacted the 'Irish Examiner' to say that other ministers have also been told by Mr Chambers they are asking for too much money.

Government ministers have said public expenditure minister Jack Chambers must loosen the purse strings or risk impacting the presidential election.

One senior government source told the Irish Examiner that if there is a “bad budget”, independent presidential nominee Catherine Connolly will “sail through”.