How budget battles were won and lost

Five members of the Cabinet recount their experience of the process of Budget 2018, writes  Political Editor Daniel McConnell

THE phone beeped, and Finian McGrath jumped up and moved to step outside the office on the ground floor in the Department of Finance.

“It’s all right Paschal, don’t worry, I am not leaking the budget. By the way, Ireland is 1-0,” came the quip as he exited, which drew laughter from those present.