Paschal Donohoe created a clear juxtaposition between his decision to rein in institutional investor profits (and stymy a tax move by Green Reit) and his support for small Irish business though a €1.2bn Brexit package and an overhaul of several schemes.
Paschal's Donohoe's no-thrills budget proves a dampener for the lobbyists and advocacy groups at Buswells Hotel
For businesses, Tuesday’s budget means higher energy taxes, tightening criteria to access green incentives and a slow roll-out of support schemes for renewables.
Budget 2020 is rightly being framed against the backdrop of Brexit. But the global economic mood music is increasingly depressed and there is little the government can do about it.
Brexit is forcing us to deal with multiple paradoxes at the same time. A phenomenon which can only harm us when it happens is actually helping us before it hits, as it calms our economy down.
The annual budget process is a recipe for overspending and myopic decision-making. However, for the first time in fifteen years, we can actually think about a world with a better set of budgetary institutions.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: As he prepares his third Budget as finance minister, Paschal Donohoe talks about his political philosophy, international tax reform, Brexit and his predecessors
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