Budget 2025 will signal more, more, more — but not for everyone

At times like this, we can forget Newton's third law applies to budgetary decisions: for every penny spent in one place, there is a penny not spent in another

When Jack Chambers (right) rises to commend Budget 2025 to the House, he will do so intent on wooing an electorate in the hopes of keeping his job beyond the next election. He will be followed by Paschal Donohoe (left) who will outline the spending measures which will include a €2bn cost-of-living package. Photo: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

What do you do when you've been in a coalition government for nearly five years and have an election coming up?

Well, you sharpen your elbows and try to take credit for the many giveaways included in your last budget, of course.