Ireland's Battle to Protect 10 Billion Euros from EU's Corporate Sector Profit Grab

Ireland is facing a fiscal dilemma as it expects a record budget surplus of €10 billion ($10.9 billion) this year, thanks to rising corporate tax revenue from multinational companies. The government must decide whether to save the money, pay off debts, invest in housing and infrastructure, or give it away in tax cuts and support payments. The lack of housing and infrastructure is becoming a serious obstacle to economic growth, but there are concerns about becoming dependent on unpredictable windfalls. Public opinion polls suggest that the majority prefer spending the surplus on public transport, housing, hospitals, and schools. However, the government's inefficiency in spending large sums on big investments and the potential impact of global tax changes pose challenges.