London will dictate the success of Paschal Donohoe’s first budget
Stephen Collins: Was even modest expansion appropriate given the Brexit backdrop?
Brexit: Theresa May signs the official letter invoking article 50, in March. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty
Seasoned politicians and journalists were struck by the eerie calm that surrounded Paschal Donohoe’s budget speech. There were no protests outside the gates of Leinster House and no unexpected announcements or verbal fireworks inside the Dáil chamber. As if to emphasise that budget day is now hardly any different from any other Dáil day, the visitor’s bar in Leinster House was virtually empty for the entire evening.