Alison O’Connor: Anger and bitterness but we don’t have a bottomless pit of money

In the run up to Tuesday, as the billions kept rising, people in Government were resigned to the fact that the general response would still be a bit 'meh'

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath arriving at Government Buildings, to unveil the Government's Budget for 2023. 

These are not normal times,” Minister for Public Enterprise and Reform Michael McGrath stated in his Budget speech. At this stage we need a reminder of what “normal” used to look like. The memories are hazy as we lurch from one crisis, not of our making, to another.

Currently, the crisisometer remains focussed on the war in Ukraine, from the macro horror of it to the micro of how it will affect our own household bottom line. Nearer to home is the economic craziness being practised right next door by new British Prime Minister Liz Truss. There is a lot to keep those stress hormones pumping.