The week that was

MONDAY

PENSIONERS will not get a €5 top-up in Budget 2020 as the focus shifts towards families struggling with the cost of living.

Finance Minister

Paschal Donohoe (pictured) is to reveal details of a series of measures aimed at reducing ‘out-of-pocket expenses’ for parents.

However, the Irish Independent has learned that many of his announcements will not come into effect until well after the general election.

TUESDAY

HIGH-PROFILE restaurateur Ronan Ryan is to press ahead with a bid to save his home and have €634,000 in debts written off after securing a significant legal victory over a vulture fund.

The High Court yesterday allowed an appeal by Mr Ryan (49), husband of television presenter and former Miss Ireland Pamela Flood (48), against a Circuit Court order permitting Tanager to repossess the couple’s Dublin home.

WEDNESDAY

THE ‘shadow of Brexit’ has stopped Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe from giving anything back to hard-pressed workers in Budget 2020.

As talks aimed at securing a deal veered towards collapse in Brussels, Mr Donohoe announced a €1.2bn package aimed at providing a soft landing for a hard Brexit.

THURSDAY

A SECRET Government memo has warned of “conflict at sea” and “blockades” in Irish waters in the immediate aftermath of a no-deal Brexit.

Ministers have been told that the loss of access to

UK fishing zones could displace vessels from other EU countries.

A confidential briefing from Tánaiste Simon Coveney (pictured) also outlined how disruption at Dublin Port could undermine public confidence in the security of food.

FRIDAY

A BREXIT breakthrough is on the cards after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ceded ground in talks on how to avoid a Border in Ireland.

The potential deal, which has not gotten EU approval, could remove the need for significant customs checks on the island of Ireland.

Checks would be moved to ports and airports, creating a border in the Irish Sea.