Cowen suggests budget will not include spending spree
17/07/2006 - 12:59:30Minister for Finance Brian Cowen has hinted that his next budget will be conservative, despite opposition predictions of a pre-election spending spree.
Fianna Fáil has been accused of "buying" the last election through former minister Charlie McCreevy's giveaway budgets.
The opposition claims Mr Cowen is planning a similar attempt to win votes in this December's budget, with tax take continuing to outstrip expectations and spending remaining under control.
However, the minister told a Fianna Fáil business conference in Galway today that his budget would be focused solely on what is in the interests of the country in the years ago.
"I believe that the Irish people want us to take that sort of long-term strategic perspective and that's what I intend to do in December," he said.
