Irish government unveils tax cuts and support measures in pre-election budget

The Irish government has announced tax cuts and cost-of-living supports in a pre-election budget, with a total of €8.3 billion in tax reductions and €2.2 billion in one-off supports. This comes as speculation grows about an election before Christmas. Finance Minister Jack Chambers noted a €25 billion budget surplus this year, partly due to a tax windfall from Apple. He plans to invest this surplus in infrastructure to address challenges in housing, energy, and transport. Despite a strong economy and low inflation, concerns remain about rising local inflation and the need for significant infrastructure investment. The coalition government faces criticism over its housing record, particularly from the opposition party, Sinn Féin.