Sebastian Barnes

Head of Government’s spending watchdog quits 18 months before term ends

Macroeconomist replaces Sebastian Barnes who left at the end of June

Wed Jul 05 2023 - 15:29

Intricate dance of the pay deal about to begin again

Unclear whether talks will focus on new pact or extension to current deal

Fri Apr 08 2022 - 15:12

State may see another surge in corporate tax from new 15% rate, says Ifac

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council chairman casts doubt on Government’s €2 billion loss forecast

Wed Dec 08 2021 - 19:23

Government not budgeting for climate and healthcare, Ifac claims

Fiscal advisory watchdog warns on continuing over-reliance on corporate tax receipts

Wed Dec 01 2021 - 00:01

The curious case of Leo the Leftie and the Giant Government Giveaway

Having lambasted Fianna Fáil for its profligacy, is Varadkar now losing the run of himself?

Sat Sept 25 2021 - 01:00

Concerns rise in Government that pandemic rewards for public sector may wipe out budget resources

Union claim for 10 days’ leave for health staff could cost €377m, HSE estimates

Thu Sept 23 2021 - 01:00

Ifac warns Government about cutting taxes while spending more

Budgetary watchdog says State needs to prioritise

Wed Sept 22 2021 - 16:29

Ifac’s criticism and the Government shoulder-shrugging response

Council launches another attack on Government’s budgetary projections

Thu Sept 16 2021 - 05:45

Government avoiding ‘hard choices’ on budget - watchdog warns

Fiscal Advisory Council says Coalition’s revised spending plans may overheat economy

Wed Sept 15 2021 - 00:23

Fiscal council concerned over level of risk in summer economic statement

Sebastian Barnes says 3% deficit is very large by historical standards in Ireland

Fri Jul 16 2021 - 10:28

Ifac warns ‘permanent spending’ increases will limit Government’s financial options

Budgetary watchdog launches calculator that lets users explore budgetary options

Fri Jun 25 2021 - 15:12

Big decisions soon about the post-Covid trajectory of the public finances

A number of long-term spending proposals are raising eyebrows in the Department of Finance and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council

Tue Jun 22 2021 - 01:27

Fiscal council says pandemic welfare supports will be needed into 2022

Council claims Covid payments halved the contraction in the domestic economy

Thu May 27 2021 - 16:02

Fiscal council should have legal right to budgetary data, OECD says

OECD assesses work of Government’s fiscal watchdog

Tue Feb 16 2021 - 04:50

Can Ireland rely on super-low interest rates to manage Covid-19 debt?

Smart Money: The future of interest rates is the biggest economic question in decades

Thu Feb 11 2021 - 12:30

Disorderly Brexit will result in €21 billion hit to Irish economy, Ifac warns

Budgetary watchdog says agri-food and SME sectors are most exposed

Tue Dec 08 2020 - 17:26

Fiscal council accuses Government of imprudent spending hike

Watchdog says €5.4bn rise in non-Covid spending for 2021 not adequately funded

Tue Dec 01 2020 - 06:50

State pension age should be 69 by 2040 – budget watchdog

Irish retirement age leave public finances 'vulnerable and unsustainable'

Wed Jul 15 2020 - 07:43

Government ‘missed opportunity’ not saving company tax windfalls, Ifac says

Budgetary watchdog says Republic ‘could have been running a much bigger surplus’ in recent years

Wed May 27 2020 - 01:26

Coronavirus: New government faces financial hole of €11bn

Irish Fiscal and Advisory Council says worst-case scenario could be €15bn

Wed May 27 2020 - 01:00

Dire warnings of need for tax rises and spending cuts

Seen & Heard: Airbnb hosts in firing line and Johnny Ronan on Bewley’s closure

Sun May 10 2020 - 10:51

Seamus Coffey decides against second term as chair of fiscal council

Process to appoint a successor to budgetary watchdog put on hold until after the election

Wed Jan 22 2020 - 17:03

Hard Brexit could present ‘very large shock’ to public finances, committee hears

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) addresses Oireachtas Budgetary Oversight Committee

Tue Jun 11 2019 - 20:21

Fiscal council’s work lacked basic coherence, says civil servant

William Beausang said advisory group ignored offers to work directly with departmental officials

Thu Dec 22 2016 - 06:00

Fiscal chief warns against impact of giveaway politics on economy

Prof John McHale says: ‘Politics may again be leading us to the kind of mistakes we’ve made in the past’

Tue Nov 25 2014 - 07:22

‘Vulnerable’ variable mortgage holders may need protection

Banks increasing variable rates in search of profits, says McHale

Fri Dec 06 2013 - 01:00

Labour TD concerned at advisory council's role ahead of budget

Kevin Humphreys claims giving sensitive forecasts to unelected council undermines Oireachtas

Thu Aug 22 2013 - 01:00

Government must not row back on planned cuts and taxes, watchdog urges

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council believes there is a one-in-three chance the Government will not reach its budget deficit target by 2015

Thu Apr 11 2013 - 06:00

Spending cuts and tax increases should continue, watchdog recommends

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council says ‘significant uncertainties’ remain for Irish economy

Wed Apr 10 2013 - 11:00