There's one great thing about being Minister for Finance and that is that, by and large, you get to make the calls about how the Government handles the purse strings.

Of course, there is no shortage of advice. Some of it is considered, other offerings are more instinctive. Certainly, words of counsel from senior civil servants and central bankers carry weight, which is not to diminish what other groups and advisory bodies may feel.

At the end of the day, however, it is the minister who carries the can politically for the financial decision of the Government and, most particularly for provisions contained in the Budget and the Finance Bill.

Indeed, Charlie McCreevy has already paid a price for some of his budgetary plans, being forced to temper "individualisation" with subsequent measures and even admitting that, with 20:20 hindsight, he might have pursued a different course.

Still, it looks as if there will still be some heated debate when the Finance Bill gets before the Dail, especially with regard to inheritance tax and the tax treatment of small so-called close companies. All in a day's work for the Minister.

Dominic Coyle can be contacted at dcoyle@irish-times.ie