So it makes sense
Ireland is the Union’s smallest English-speaking economy and the one that has extracted the most from it: the European headquarters of American technology firms sit there, so corporation tax makes up a disproportionate share of the budget. It is also the only member state with a land border with Britain — and that border runs through Northern Ireland, which turned Brexit into a permanent issue. Ireland currently holds the Union presidency.
- Who governs
- The head of government (Taoiseach) is Micheál Martin. Ahead of the budget he ruled out an "unsustainable giveaway" package and says tackling child poverty is the government’s north star. As presidency holder Ireland is trying to bridge divisions over the Union budget. At home health spending presses on him — the HSE was 580 million euros over budget at the end of July.
- Who opposes
- The strongest opposition force is Sinn Féin, also the only party operating on both sides of the Irish border. Labour is pushing for social measures in the budget. Irish politics is less ideological than elsewhere — the argument is more about housing, health care and what to do with the corporation tax surplus.
- Next election
- The next parliamentary election is expected in 2029.
