The Government will use to tomorrow’s Budget 2025 announcement to try and “buy votes” for the upcoming election, Ivan Yates has predicted.

Budget 2025 will see Ministers announcing a bumper package made up of billions in tax cuts, public spending increases and a cost-of-living measures.

While previously it was thought the package would cost €8.3 billion, the inclusion of further cost of living measures has increased the cost to nearly €10 billion.

The Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin have both insisted there will be no election until 2025; however, many pundits believe the President will be asked for a Dáil dissolution in the days after the Budget – setting the scene for a November election.

“You know the song Money Can’t Buy You Love?” Ivan Yates told The Pat Kenny Show. 

“Well, we’re going to find out if money can buy you votes - what lies ahead is truly gigantic.” 

Mr Yates said a number of other announcements will be made during the budget statements as well. 

“They have three other bazookas lined up,” he said. 

“The sale of AIB shares [for] €3 billion, you’re going to see announcements in relation to allocations for sanitary services and other infrastructure funds. 

“You’re going to hear about the national training fund that has a surplus of €2 billion and then the biggest bazooka of them all, the Apple funds.” 

Jack Chambers. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Mr Yates said he had heard “so many different rumours” about the date of the election it is impossible to know for certain; however, his own instinct is it will take place towards towards end of November.  

“My personal idea of the latest date and the most likely date is Friday November 22nd,” he said. 

“So, I think in all circumstances they’ve decided - or Simon Harris has been persuaded - that he has to get his candidate selection problems sorted out by then. 

“He’s going to get to go to Washington - which is another box ticked - between now and then.” 

Jack Chambers, Michael D. Higgins, Simon Harris and Micheál Martin. Photo: Leah Farrell/ © RollingNews.ie

As things stand, Mr Yates expects the Government will want to avoid another February election.

“In 2011, the Government got kiboshed - that was Fianna Fáil,” he said. 

“In 2016, Joan Burton’s Labour got kiboshed and the last time in 2020, Fine Gael got kiboshed. 

“All were February elections; the electoral mood in February, there’s something about it. 

“People are very sour, it’s cold, it’s miserable, people don’t want to answer their door and I think that logic has shifted Harris’ position to go for a November election.”  

Dáil terms typically run for five years but an early election is called if TDs vote a pass of no confidence in the Government or if the Taoiseach is granted an early dissolution from the President.

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Main image: Ivan Yates. Picture by: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland