The interview is poised to begin when Paschal Donohoe lays out two documents on the tasteful boardroom table in his office. Combined, they underscore the stark economic and political shifts that have occurred in Ireland in recent years. The first dates back to 2016, when Donohoe was the newly minted Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, earning his spurs under the guidance of the wily finance minister Michael Noonan. The 2016 Summer Economic Statement set the parameters for that year’s budget. The economy was in recovery mode, and the government was on the cusp of balancing the books for the…

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