The new Minister for Finance must break the cycle of reckless budget overruns, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O\u2019Callaghan.<\/p>\n
Deputy O\u2019Callaghan made his comments after the delayed publication of the government\u2019s Medium-Term Fiscal and Structural Plan.<\/p>\n
He said:<\/p>\n
\u201cOverruns have already reached \u20ac4.1 billion this year. This habit of overspending is not a mistake \u2013 it\u2019s a strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is little point in having a Medium-Term Fiscal and Structural Plan if it\u2019s going to be undermined every year by massive budget overruns, which have become a disgraceful norm under Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael, showcasing their utter disregard for financial responsibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey expect taxpayers to cover for their mismanagement, perpetuating a cycle of fiscal incompetence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need a public finance system prepared for the challenges ahead and a government with the discipline to stick to a budget.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith no accountability for their excessive overruns, FF\/FG operate with impunity, knowing they can always seek more money through revised estimates.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis level of economic incompetence can also be found in the day to day running of the country\u2019s finances.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that overreliance on unstable corporate tax revenues is reckless. The government is continuing to irresponsibly narrow our tax base which has left Ireland exposed and over-reliant on volatile corporation tax.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will limit our ability to meet future challenges, including supporting an ageing population, tackling climate change, and cushioning economic shocks and downturns.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis behaviour is unacceptable and irresponsible. The Irish people deserve better.\u201d<\/p>\n
December 19, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The new Minister for Finance must break the cycle of reckless budget overruns, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O\u2019Callaghan. Deputy O\u2019Callaghan made his comments after the delayed publication of the government\u2019s Medium-Term Fiscal and Structural Plan. He said: \u201cOverruns have already reached \u20ac4.1 billion this year. This habit of overspending is not a […]<\/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":[278,88,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cian-ocallaghan","category-finance","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n