Minister for Finance set to attend budget breakfast in Tullamore
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Offaly Fine Gael TD John Clendennen and local councillors will be hosting a post-budget breakfast with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe later this month.
It will be taking place on Wednesday week, October 22, from 7.30am to 9.30am in the Tullamore Court Hotel.
Fine Gael said the meeting will offer an opportunity to hear directly from the Minister and engage on the key measures announced in Budget 2026. Tickets for it are priced at €50, or €350 for a table of 8.
Deputy Clendennen made a national television appearance on Virgin Media's 'The Tonight Show' on Tuesday of this week.
The programme's Budget 2026 special included discussion about the backlash over the 9% VAT cut for certain hospitality and retail services, which is not due to take effect until July of next year.
Responding on the programme, Deputy Clendennen defended the measures, saying the Government had "done exactly what the opposition asked for."
"First of all, we need to send a message that we attract corporations of every size to this country. We have a very strong reputation in foreign direct investment, and I'd like to see this continue," he said.
"What I’d like to ask is what’s changed since the general election? Why have they done a U-turn? We’ve introduced the 9% VAT rate, and we’re not finished yet."
The Fine Gael TD added that the VAT reduction would provide much-needed certainty to small businesses.
"We need certainty and predictability more now than ever before. This is a sector with over 200,000 jobs that benefits every community. Seventy-six percent of the businesses who will benefit employ fewer than ten people. It’s clear that businesses, especially those in rural areas, would benefit from a VAT cut," he said.
Following his TV appearance, Deputy Clendennen described his first budget day as a TD as a "hugely rewarding" experience personally.
Posting on social media, he wrote: "I will never take for granted the honour of representing the people of Offaly and the opportunity to effect positive change for our county and our country."