A carefully balanced Budget that befits a coalition government keen to get re-elected

Vivian Nathan, Chief Operating Officer at Baker Tilly Ireland, described Budget 2025 as "a carefully balanced Budget" designed by a coalition government aiming for re-election, with a fiscal surplus that is the envy of all of Europe. 

You can read his initial reaction to Budget 2025 below: 

“This was a carefully balanced Budget that befits a coalition government keen to get re-elected and with a fiscal surplus that is the envy of Europe.

"With one eye on November or February this was always going to be an opportunity for the parties to set out their stall and impress the voting public. The rainy-day fund will also benefit from the largesse of the American tech giants and the European Court of Justice and if some people will be disappointed that more hasn’t been set aside for current and future infrastructure challenges then they don’t appreciate how keen politicians are to stay in power.

"In an increasingly competitive market high income earners and key staff from foreign companies need to feel they are not at a material disadvantage when basing themselves in Ireland.

"We would like to have seen more to encourage entrepreneurs to set up in Ireland particularly given our nearest neighbour appears to be doing all it can to talk down their economy and pursuing policies which could certainly see Ireland looking a more attractive option than the UK to start a business.  

"We think the Government should look again at incentivising wealth creation by the next generation of Irish businessmen and women. 

After all they are the economic future for our country and a sensible hedge against the State over relying on a handful of overseas giants and their tax receipts.“