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Finance Minister Simon Harris outlines his plan for a series of successive budgets, highlights the need for heating support, and discusses Ireland‑US relations amid the President's visit.
Minister for Finance Simon Harris said on Friday he intends Budget 2027 to become one of a series of complementary plans rather than a standalone document.
Speaking on the margins of the Fine Gael think‑in, Harris explained that his focus is on creating a coherent fiscal strategy that will unfold over several years, with each budget building on the previous. He stressed that, despite the attractiveness of a large tax reform package, the scale of any tax change is constrained by the need to balance the national accounts on the day.
"Every finance minister has to make it all add up on the day," he told participants after a brief remarks session. "There are limitations in the size of a tax package, but I am hopeful we can do something. " Harris went on to outline the main priorities for the next levy and noted that a sizeable portion of the anticipated €1.5 billion tax package will be directed at personal income tax.
He added that the budget would include measures to support low‑income households, particularly with regard to heating costs. During an interview with RTÉ's Morning Ireland the minister emphasised the urgency of addressing the high cost of home‑heating oil, a problem that disproportionately affects older residents, rural communities, and those living on low incomes.
"It is a matter that requires urgent attention, and we will review the existing policy," he said. Harris said the government will look into expanding the fuel allowance and exploring other relief measures that might ease the burden on the most vulnerable groups.
"I want to be very honest with people that the tax package in the budget is around €1.5 billion, probably slightly more when we take into account a few revenue‑raising measures we might be able to raise," Harris added. The minister also caught up on Ireland's relations with the United States in the run‑up to the arrival of President Donald Trump.
Harris said that, while there are areas of disagreement, both governments share a common interest in the deep economic ties between the two countries.
"The links are real, the links are deep, the links are binding," he said. "We will use the President's visit as an opportunity to showcase Ireland, and the Taoiseach will be in a position to have substantive discussions with the President on global issues. " Harris further alluded to the potential listing of Israeli sovereign bonds by the Central Bank of Ireland, noting that the issue is under review by the European Commission.
He expressed personal concern over the conflict in Gaza and called for the review of prospectus regulations to address the situation. In summation, Simon Harris wants the 2027 budget to act as a stepping stone toward a larger fiscal vision. The plan will build gradually but sustainably on each individual fiscal year. He reiterated his intention to make the budget useful for the Irish people by providing targeted relief for low‑income households while maintaining fiscal responsibility and balanced revenue‑cost measures.
As he moves forward, Harris will continue to collaborate with key stakeholders, engage with international partners, and keep the people of Ireland's welfare at the forefront of public policy decisions
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