IN THE OLDEN days (i.e. more than four years ago), Ministers for Finance were content to simply make their Budget speech, pose for some photos and answer a few questions.

Things have changed, and changed radically though, and while it has become common practice for TDs to tweet or Facebook their thoughts about the Budget, we now have Michael Noonan giving us a brief 13-second preview of what’s to come on an Instagram video.

Swanky.

Expect some more of these this afternoon as Ministers take to Instagram to give a run-down of exactly what the Budget means for their Department, but in the mean-time, here’s the Minister for Finance giving what is possibly the quickly preview ever of a Budget.

Spoiler: No, he doesn’t give a whole lot of detail in his 13 seconds, but his autocue-reading skills are compelling. You can literally see his eyes moving from line to line.

http://instagram.com/p/ffA9AKqzzV/

(Video: merrionstreet/Instagram)

Read: Taoiseach on the Budget: ‘There are some tough decisions in there’ >

Read: 10 things to remind you that people are actually generous >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More