Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers: leaving the point-scoring on the football pitch. Photograph: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire

It’s all go at Government Buildings this weekend as the final few departments holding out for a better budget allocation slug it out with money Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe.

Talks, in keeping with tradition, are expected to go down to the wire. But despite the rush this year to get deals done and dusted before budget day on Tuesday, a truce between demanding Ministers and their finance overlords has been declared for Sunday afternoon.

Nothing will happen in Merrion Street while the Dublin Senior Club Football semi-finals are happening in Parnell Park. Or, to be specific, while the semi-final game between Kilmacud Crokes and Na Fianna is under way.

Oscar Donohoe, son of Minister for Finance Paschal, is part of the Na Fianna squad and has lined out at corner back for the Glasnevin club on numerous occasions. Oscar, who has represented Dublin at minor and U20 level, also plays for UCD, where he is studying economics and finance.

“It’s great and we’re all very proud of him,” says Paschal.

“I have to be there on Sunday.”

Oscar Donohoe playing for UCD against DCU in Belfield in March. Photograph: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

At least they had all day on Friday to make some progress.

Well, they did and they didn’t.

The fire alarm went off in Government buildings on Friday afternoon in the middle of the all-important leaders’ meeting on the budget. The building was evacuated and the entire Taoiseach’s department ended up standing out at the corner on Merrion Square.

There were jokes that the Taoiseach may have been at the deep fat fryer again when he failed to appear at the muster point. Did Micheál leave the chip pan on in his office?

Simon Harris was missing too. Along with Paschal and Jack Chambers.

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