Irish Examiner view: Ireland's verdict will be seen at the polling booth

The damned-if-you-do challenge for finance ministers can be illustrated with yesterday’s increase in cigarette tax. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Whenever a finance minister sits down in Dáil Éireann after commending a budget to the house, he (for it’s always been a he) doesn’t expect plaudits from the opposition benches. Yesterday saw no wrenching break with tradition on that score.

The measures introduced yesterday by Finance Minister Michael McGrath were welcomed by the Government side and greeted with disappointment by opposing parties, as is customary. If those formalities appear performative, it’s with good reason: The damned-if-you-do challenge for finance ministers can be illustrated with yesterday’s increase in cigarette tax.