View this email in your browser Business Today Tuesday, 25 August, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) has warned that the Government’s proposed budgetary package is “larger” than what it considers appropriate for the economy. However, it said the bigger concern was that the final package could differ substantially from what is announced on budget day. “Spending overruns have become routine and have repeatedly pushed spending above budget-day plans,” the council said in a pre-budget submission published on Tuesday. Eoin Burke-Kennedy has the details. Continue Reading Conn Ó Midheach   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Business Oil steadies as US plan offers little clarity on Hormuz deadlock Business Aer Lingus and pilots end job cuts talks abruptly Business Middle East conflict drives sharpest rise in commercial construction costs in several years Business Fiscal council criticises routine spending overruns for inflating budget-day plans Business Biggest hitters in streaming want you to use only their app Richard Cantillon Ifac takes aim at Government’s Alice in Wonderland budgeting MORE BUSINESS STORIES Business European shares close little changed amid Middle East tension and Nvidia nerves Business Irish gaming start-up Entity raises €5m in seed funding Business ‘We don’t need Canada’: Trump attempts to increase tariff pressure Work Ireland creating AI jobs at up to three times pace of neighbouring countries Do you have questions about becoming an Irish Times subscriber, or about your subscription? You'll find handy guides in our FAQs, and you can manage many aspects of your subscription in the My Account section. Never miss a business story Subscribe now for just €1 for your first month SUBSCRIBE     Registration number 2514 Registered in Ireland as The Irish Times DAC Registered office 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 You have received this email because you opted-in for Business Today, delivered by The Irish Times. If you do not