October 10th is Budget Day, so it is the time of the year for politicians and lobbyists to make their cases for extra spending and tax cuts in 2024.

It will be a year when Ireland is forecast to run a surplus of over €10 billion, leaving lots of room to manoeuvre, and plenty of decisions in the hands of Minister for Finance Michael McGrath and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe.

On today's podcast Mr Donohoe joins Hugh and Pat to talk about Budget 2024.

Of specific measures, the Minister gives little away. But he does provide an insight into his thinking about the balancing act that must be struck.

They also discuss the risk posed to stability by unpredictable corporate tax receipts, the future for RTÉ and whether Fine Gael still has something to offer in government beyond the next election.

And Mr Donohoe takes the opportunity to criticise Pat's argument that the Government is short on ideas.

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