Pat Leahy: The politics of prosperity can be a difficult business

There is no linear relationship between economic growth and government approval

Brendan Howlin gives Michael Noonan a 'well deserved' pat on his back during the End Year 2015 Exchequer Statement press conference Picture: Rollingnews

Compared to the early days of the coalition, it is raining money.

It was July 2011 when the coalition received its first significant financial boost (albeit on the back of concessions made to Greece) when the EU agreed to cut the interest rate on Ireland’s bailout loans.

That evening, some members of the Economic Management Council, the cabinet committee that made all significant economic decisions, went to dinner together in the Dáil members ...