Little time to lose as coalition starts final lap

On the face of it, there is much for the government to be happy about. Tax revenues are up, unemployment is falling and even one of its most ardent critics, the fiercely independent Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, is now backing its plans for a €1.5 billion budget package.

The promised tax cuts for low and middle earners and the extra spending on childcare services are likely to be broadly welcomed.

And on the ...