Irish Examiner view: Government fluffs lines on the big issues in Budget 22

Oppositions line up to criticise a 'national fiver day' budget

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe. Picture: Julien Behal/PA Wire

Hours before Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe got to his feet yesterday, TDs were lining up to criticise the budget.

Paul Murphy took the prize for most memorable quip, describing it as “national fiver day”. It was a succinct way of summarising an event that matters so much to so many but, where it required big-ticket measures, we were left with a scattergun approach to spending.