Ministers accused of ‘fiscal gimmickry’ as watchdog warns over ‘inappropriate’ budgetary policy

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council acting chair Professor Michael McMahon

John Burns

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) has again accused the Government of “fiscal gimmickry” and said current budgetary policy is “not appropriate for the economy or the public finances”.

In its latest hard-hitting assessment, the independent body said the ­National Spending Rule – to keep annual increases in core spending to 5pc – is set to be breached this year by more than ministers have predicted. The Ifac’s estimate is 6.7pc.