In reality, it was a giveway budget — a little taste for all

Pascal Donohoe is an inclusive kind of a guy. He wraps his arms around all and sundry in his pronouncements on governance. Hence in yesterday’s budget speech we heard more than once about “our country”, and “our people” and “our children”. It’s no doubt heartfelt but also works well as a political tool. We’re all in this together, you, me, the butcher, baker and candlestick maker. And there is something for everybody in the audience, writes Michael Clifford

In reality, in terms of finance, the country is made up of various sectors, interests and demographics who all have their own hierarchy of interests and needs. And with Budget 2019 Mr Donohue did his best to tip his cap in all directions.