Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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205. To ask the Minister for Finance in view of the September 2025 warnings from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council about Government overspending relative to agreed targets, the immediate measures being taken to contain expenditure within sustainable levels; and if he will detail the contingency planning in place if corporate tax revenues fall short of expectations in 2025/2026. [49508/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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209. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will detail the contingency planning in place if corporate tax revenues fall short of expectations in 2025/2026. [50020/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 209 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, public expenditure is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

In respect of corporation tax revenues, I have stated on many occasions that the growth we have seen in this revenue stream over the last number of years cannot be relied upon. Addressing the risks around volatile corporation tax is a central pillar of Government’s fiscal strategy. By the end of this year, we will have invested some €16 billion in ‘windfall’ tax receipts – not linked to the domestic economy – into the Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund, setting aside some of these potentially transient revenues to prepare for future structural costs.

At the same time, we must continue to pursue an appropriate budgetary strategy. The best way to ensure our public finances remain resilient to any shortfall in corporate tax revenues is by running headline budgetary surpluses and ensuring that our income tax and VAT base remains stable.