Mary Regan: The budget will be glass half empty or half full – it just depends on whether you ask the Taoiseach or Tánaiste

What is clear is that there will be no cost-of-living measures this year

Mary Regan: Simon Harris tries to talk up Budget as Micheál Martin portrayed as being too negative

Mary Regan

Cost-of-living measures in the budget are firmly out. The Coalition has been hardening its stance on the issue in recent weeks.

While Micheál Martin has been saying for some time now that they are not a runner, Simon Harris officially shut the door on any further “one-off” payments in an interview with the Sunday Independent.