Falling between two stools: Budget 2016 lacked one bold gesture

THERE must have come a moment yesterday when the Taoiseach and his senior cabinet ministers asked themselves what more they can do to win the support and affection of the Irish electorate.

By any measure, this is a giveaway Budget, but the problem is that neither of the Coalition partners are likely to gain hugely from it in a general election and the wonder is that any senior member of Fine Gael - let alone the Taoiseach - seriously contemplated a November poll on foot of it.

Why? Because it lacks the one bold gesture, the major stand-out announcement required to buy votes in big numbers. That is one thing that Fianna Fáil, for all its political failings, has always understood, even in the depths of recession and financial crisis.