Budget briefing: what to expect

The much more favourable economic winds mean that the budget negotiations concluded remarkably quickly compared to previous budgets.

The Economic Management Council, made up of Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Joan Burton, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin met last Thursday to thrash out the key details.

The cabinet met last Friday with the budget essentially signed off, according to a government source. However, Noonan is due to ...