Elaine Loughlin: Get ready for more pre-budget scuffles in the coalition

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will have a difficult time differentiating themselves in the lead-up to the election

Ahead of a general election both Leo Varadkar and Mr Martin will have to reaffirm their own individual party identities, while Eamon Ryan's Green Party will be able to point to carbon budgets and other environmental policies progressed. File photo: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

Leaks and kites are part and parcel of the budgetary process, so why the sudden consternation?

It seems slightly astonishing that Tánaiste Micheál Martin would be so annoyed by the intervention of three Fine Gael junior ministers on budget tax measures when his own party colleague Willie O'Dea perfected the "fiver for all" pension demand over many years.