Government ‘committed’ to full term despite earlier Budget – Harris

Minister Jack Chambers said the date change was due to European commitments in the following weeks, amid criticism from Sinn Féin that it would mean “crucial” corporation tax returns are not accounted for.

The suggestion that the date change signalled an early election was also rejected by the Taoiseach.

Asked by reporters on Thursday if the early Budget was a sign of an election this year, Simon Harris said: “No, it’s not. It’s been long known amongst party leaders and ministers for finance that the Ecofin meeting will take place on October 8.

“Therefore, it simply makes sense to have the Budget on October 1.

“Outside of the media and political bubble, I can tell you what people in Ireland will be much more interested in is not the date of the Budget, but the substance of the Budget.”

He criticised “Punch-and-Judy theatrics” over the date change, adding: “We’re going to have an election next year. That’s the plan.”

Ireland’s fiscal and budgetary submissions must be delivered to the European Commission on October 15, while Mr Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe will also be attending the Ecofin and Eurogroup meetings in the intervening week.

Mr Chambers said October 1 became the “natural date” to hold the Budget, and denied that the change signalled an early general election.

In the Dáil on Thursday, Sinn Féin’s finance spokesman accused the Government of taking the “public for fools” over the change.

Pearse Doherty said the date change means the Government will not have September’s tax return figures when making important decisions in the Budget.

He said this was “laughable” as it would would leave Mr Chambers with less data to frame the Budget.

Mr Doherty said: “Every minister for finance knows that the September returns are crucial.

“Are you telling this House that you are bringing forward the Budget without sight of the September returns?

“This is what it appears to be. That is fine if he is making that decision but why is he making that decision? That is the question. I think the minister is taking us and the public for fools.”

Mr Doherty also said that junior ministers at the department have represented finance ministers at Ecofin previously, including a clash with Budget day.

He said: “The Eurogroup meeting is the day before, with Minister Donohoe. There is no reason he cannot be here.”

Mr Doherty accused the Government of attempting to “pave the way for an early election” as he criticised a “cock and bull story about a clash”.

Mr Chambers said: “What will set the wider budgetary and fiscal parameters is the Summer Economic Statement, which we will set out next week.

“That will set out the position on taxation and expenditure, and what is possible for Budget 2025.

“You’ve a complete contradiction. First of all, you’re calling for an election every day of the week in here.

“Secondly, we are actually committed to political stability and running our full term.”