Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our annual Post-Budget Analysis event.

We were delighted to welcome a record turnout and to hear such thoughtful discussion on the implications of Budget 2027.

A huge thank you to Emma Howard (TUD), Niall Conroy (IFAC), Jude Webber (Financial Times) and Kate Hynes (DCU) for their valuable contributions to the panel, and to everyone who participated in the lively Q&A session.

The discussion highlighted several important themes from the budget:

• Climate: Emma Howard reflected on how climate ambitions appear to have become a lower priority, with excise cuts extended and further delays to planned carbon tax increases.

• Public spending: Niall Conroy demonstrated how government spending has consistently exceeded the levels set out on Budget Day. He noted that the last time spending was at or below the budgeted level was 2013.

• Infrastructure: Kate Hynes highlighted the shortage of apprentices and skilled construction workers, which is likely to remain a significant obstacle to addressing Ireland’s infrastructure challenges.

• Living standards: Jude Webber reflected on the contrast between Ireland’s status as a high-income country and the lived experience of many citizens who do not feel the benefits of that prosperity.

We are very grateful to the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council for hosting this year’s event.