Cork TDs believe early general election likely as budget date moved

A number of TDs in Cork believe that an early general election is likely before year’s end, following the announcement of an early budget this year.

Finance Minister Jack Chambers confirmed yesterday that Budget 2025 will be brought forward by one week, to be announced on October 1, stating that it was the “natural date” due to some ministerial duties in Europe the following week.

Both he and Taoiseach Simon Harris have denied the earlier budget date means that the general election will be brought forward.

However, reactions to this recent budget announcement have shown that while the rescheduling is welcomed, members of the opposition in Cork believe it does, in fact, indicate an early general election, which is expected by many in late October or November.

Speaking to The Echo, Sinn Féin Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould said that he believes this could be a “giveaway budget”.

“The one good thing about this budget is that it’ll probably bring an election with it.

“The sooner the better,” Mr Gould said.

“People need change, people have had enough of this Government.”

Sure sign

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD for Cork North Central Mick Barry said: “Moving the budget forward a week is a pretty sure sign that we’re set for a November election.

“I’m looking forward to it, and will be more than ready.

“I’m sure they’ll splash the cash and try to buy some votes, but there’ll be no vision.”

Sinn Féin Cork South Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said: “There is obviously a possibility of an early general election.

“A change in Government is what we need.

“The key thing is what’s in this budget, it’s very clear that the current Government has no control over the housing crisis.

“We need to ensure that the cost of living is tackled, as well as tackling the growing crisis in our healthcare system.

“In lots of ways, the Government has been misallocating money.

“Too much has been spent on the private sector, so we don’t believe they know how to deliver.”

Denied

However, Mr Chambers denied the assertions that moving the budget forward signals an early general election later this year, saying that the Government is “absolutely committed” to running the full term.

“We have to submit our fiscal and budgetary submission to the European Commission on October 15, and the week prior to that both myself and Minister [for public expenditure Paschal] Donohoe will be attending the Ecofin and the Eurogroup meeting,” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

Mr Chambers said that the one-week change from last year is “really of very little difference in the context of the social welfare bill and the finance bill, which will conclude at the end of November or early December”.

This comes after the Fianna Fáil minister said that this year’s budget will be “tighter” than previous years.

Meanwhile, when asked by reporters yesterday if the early budget was a sign of an election this year, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “No, it’s not.

“It’s been long known amongst party leaders and ministers for finance that the Ecofin meeting will take place on October 8.

“Therefore, it simply makes sense to have the budget on October 1.

“Outside of the media and political bubble, I can tell you what people in Ireland will be much more interested in is not the date of the budget.

“[It will be] the substance of the budget.”

Mr Harris went further to criticise the “Punch-and-Judy theatrics” over the date change, adding: “We’re going to have an election next year.

“That’s the plan.”