A Political battle to frame what comes next

Budgets might be all about the numbers, but how they add up for the public always comes down to framing.

And with Budget 2027 just over a week away, that reality is now to the forefront of political minds, with parties increasingly pushing forward their own narratives to explain what Tuesday 6 October's announcements will mean for those who matter most.

For Government, the message is that this Budget is focused on securing Ireland's financial safety in a time of geo-political uncertainty, while trying to make life a little easier for hard-working individuals in the process.

For the Opposition, many of the already leaked plans are further proof that - in their eyes at least - those in power remain out of touch with the stark financial realities facing struggling households across the country.