Irish Finance Bill News 2009: Read our Budget and Finance Bill expert commentary, news and analysis. The Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Lenihan T.D. delivered his first Budget speech to the Dáil on 14 October, 2008. What was predicted to be the toughest budget in several years produced measures that the Government hopes will be sufficient to put the public finances back on track. www.deloittefinancebill.ie.

Irish consumers will spend 5.3% less on average this Christmas compared with last year. Coupled with this, a current inflation rate of 4.3% means that consumers’ spending power will, in effect, be reduced by nearly 10%. However, it is not all doom and gloom for retailers this Christmas, as Ireland is still the biggest spender in Europe, ahead of the UK in second position and Spain in third. Read more.

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