Responsible budget approach could still be undone by Brexit

We shouldn’t rule out the prospect of Fianna Fáil returning to power just as the economy really picks up, writes Alison O’Connor.

THIS will be a modest budget the senior politician advised. There shouldn’t be unreal expectations as we are bound to live within certain fiscal parameters to bring about a balanced budget. A member of the Cabinet you might think, possibly even the minister for finance? No, it was in fact the leader of the opposition Micheal Martin.

It’s still difficult to get used to our new political situation where a confidence and supply arrangement means the Fianna Fáil leader is tempering budget expectations, rather than preparing to criticise the Government for its budgetary offering. He’s urging a responsible approach to Budget 2018. It’s just as well really because given the available resources any other approach could end up looking like two bald men fighting over a comb.