Daniel McConnell: 'It is the biggest giveaway budget in the history of the State'

While the government announced a July Stimulus package totalling €8bn, much more is needed to offset the impact of lockdowns and the total shutdown of some industries for seven months

Michael McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform putting the finishing touches to budget 2021 at department offices in Dublin yesterday. Photograph Moya Nolan

It has been 40 years since a Cork man has taken to his feet on Budget day to deliver the details of public spending for the year ahead.

In January 1981, a somewhat inexperienced Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central and surprise choice Finance Minister Gene Fitzgerald stated that the deficit for 1981 would be £515m, or 5% of Gross National Product (GNP).