The government cannot invest in Ireland\u2019s future while hollowing out the tax base, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O\u2019Callaghan.<\/p>\n
Responding to today\u2019s damning assessment of Budget 2026 by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC), Deputy O\u2019Callaghan said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government has the gall to lecture families about protecting the national finances, yet their latest budget erodes the tax take by \u20ac1.3 billion. You cannot invest in the future while hollowing out the tax base. This is simply reckless, short-term politics at its worst.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of strengthening public services, this government is wasting money on tax breaks to boost the profits of fast-food chains.<\/p>\n
\u201cIFAC, the ESRI, the Nevin Institute, and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare all delivered the same warning in advance of the budget \u2013 that Ireland\u2019s tax base is too narrow and must be broadened.<\/p>\n
\u201cIgnoring this advice undermines our ability to fund housing, healthcare, education, and climate action in the years ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn its latest assessment, IFAC also criticises the government\u2019s failure to provide budgetary forecasts beyond 2026. Taking such a short-term approach to the country\u2019s finances has the potential to undermine our economic success and is symptomatic of a government that puts populism before proper planning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe \u20ac1.3 billion giveaway today is tomorrow\u2019s crisis \u2013 it leaves the State exposed if corporate tax receipts inevitably fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe level of hypocrisy is staggering. Ordinary people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, while the government splashes the cash to buy political favour.\u201d<\/p>\n
November 26, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The government cannot invest in Ireland\u2019s future while hollowing out the tax base, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O\u2019Callaghan. Responding to today\u2019s damning assessment of Budget 2026 by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC), Deputy O\u2019Callaghan said: \u201cThe government has the gall to lecture families about protecting the national finances, yet their latest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11216,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[735,278,88,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-budget-2026","category-cian-ocallaghan","category-finance","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n