'Average worker thrown under the bus' - Irish Independent readers react to Budget 26

"An absence of cost-of-living supports, disappointment at the hike to vapes and no help for the average worker were among the issues raised by Irish Independent readers as you reacted to Budget 2026."

"Finance Minister described it as a "sensible Budget" on Tuesday, but it was slammed by Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty, who said it was a "Fine Gael Budget" as it dominated leaders questions in the Dáil today."

Budget 2026 provided no targeted cost-of-living supports and increased taxes on vapes, prompting disappointment among many readers. The measures offered little additional assistance aimed at average workers, leaving concerns about affordability and wage pressures unaddressed. Finance Minister labelled the package a "sensible Budget", framing it as prudent fiscal policy. Sinn Fe9in TD Pearse Doherty condemned the package as a "Fine Gael Budget", and the measures dominated leaders' questions in the De1il. Public reaction emphasized perceived gaps in support for households and criticism of policy priorities.

Read at Irish Independent