BUDGET 2016: Accounting alchemist Noonan doubles his budgetary clout

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has been in a few political scraps in his time and, since his appointment at the depth of the crisis more than four years ago, he has proved to be the most political of finance ministers, and yesterday’s budget was the most political of budgets since the end of the boom years.

The Government faces a particularly tough test: There is a looming election to be fought at a time when the opinion polls are flashing red for the prospects of the Coalition parties.

Since sweeping to power in February 2011, the polls suggest the two parties have shed a remarkable 20 percentage points in popular support. Above everything, the election has set the scene for this budget.