Budget 2017: The missteps, the empty promises and policy flunks

There was something for everyone in Budget 2017, but few really benefited

Fine Gael Minister for Finance Michael Noonan with Minister for Public Expenditure Pascal O Donohue both waving to the media last Tuesday Pic: RollingNews.ie

It was a budget that seemed to lack an overall strategy, with a little for everyone, but arguably nothing meaningful for anyone. A €5 weekly increase in the pension and other welfare payments, measures to help first-time buyers, a childcare package and a modest cut in the universal social charge were among the headline grabbers.

The government was forced to defend its budget against serious criticism from the Fiscal Advisory Council, which warned ...