Bernard O'Shea's quick and painless seven-point guide to the budget

Bernard O'Shea: "Every year, it’s the same song and dance. The treats get pricier; the wallets get lighter." Photo: Moya Nolan

Budget day in Ireland is longer than the opening credits of a blockbuster Hollywood movie. It’s a marathon of numbers, percentages, and economic jargon every year. 

Media outlets, politicians, and experts will dissect every detail from dawn to dusk. But if you’re anything like me — an economic philistine who values simplicity (explain it to me like I’m a five-year-old) — you’re not looking to drown in details. You want the meat and potatoes, not the whole farm.