Spring Statement: This balancing act deserves applause

Sure, there was a degree of backslapping, but the spring statement by Noonan and Howlin was impressive in a number of ways

Backslapping. Clarity. A break from the policies of the past. Balance. Forecasts as anchors for expectations. Prudence. Long-term thinking. These were the phrases I scribbled down while listening to ministers Noonan and Howlin during last Tuesday’s spring statement.

First things first: Olympic-level backslapping. The government has a good news story on the economy and wants to let everyone know about it. By the standards of Irish politics they weren’t too over the top, ...