Budget debate gathers pace - Fix services before we reduce taxes

LAST week’s tax returns, which were below the overall target for the year so far, will inform next week’s summer economic statement, but any restraining influence the figures might have will be outweighed by the political need for yet another something-for-everyone budget at the end of the year.

That temptation to be indulgent, especially for a first-time-over-hurdles Taoiseach and finance minister, may be encouraged by yesterday’s employment figures.

The number of people signing on the Live Register last month was 259,200, a drop of 1.8% since May.