Irish Examiner view: Amid all the 'increasing' we wonder where the caring is in Budget 2025

In essence, the Government threw money at individuals and said 'here’s more money, take your problem to the private sector'

Earlier this week, Fergus Finlay recounted Charlie McCreevy's budget 'stroke' in 2001 and subsequent election success. It remains to be seen if the Coalition will benefit from Tuesday's giveaway budget. Picture: Chris Bacon

The term “giveaway budget” has replaced the rather more simple term we all used to use once upon a time: “budget”.

Gone are the days of punishment being meted out for individuals caught telling journalists of the plans. Today they leak with wanton abandon and we have days of newspapers dishing out of what the budget includes by the time the ministers get to their feet.