The Latest Breaking News from Paschal Donohoe

With bills soaring across the board, people will be eagerly awaiting the Budget announcement this year

Government officials are considering a change to income tax bands in next week's Budget

Finance Minister Paschal Donohue is expected to increase the 40 per cent income tax band by €2,500, meaning workers won't have to pay the higher tax rate on any earnings below €39,500

Thousands will eagerly await the announcement next week as a range of once-off payments are expected to be set out

If introduced, it would be similar to the ‘sugar tax’ brought in on fizzy drinks to discourage people from downing them.

Spiralling energy bills, petrol pump hikes and record inflation has heaped the pressure onto the Government

'There are huge questions around the cap'

Ireland's deputy prime minister said on Friday that coalition leaders will shortly discuss how Dublin might remain as chair of the influential Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers ahead of a cabinet reshuffle.

'Any decisions that Europe or Ireland makes has three policies that we have to consider'

The measures brought in by the Budget will be similar to some of the initiatives introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic

The former Justice Minister is among several ex-ministers who have shared their candid experiences of Stormont power-sharing