Coughlan: Government is not cancelling Christmas
The Tánaiste has branded suggestions that the Government is cancelling Christmas as "ridiculous" and "silly".
Mary Coughlan was speaking ahead of the Minister for Finance's pre-Budget outlook later today.
She said that December's budget will play a key part in Ireland's economic recovery.
Minister Coughlan also says cancelling the traditional Christmas bonus was a necessary decision given the rising number of people receiving social welfare.
However, she says that does not amount to cancelling Christmas.
"That's just silly," she said. "Christmas is the 25th of December, it will still be on the 25th of December and it is still a Christmas holiday."
"The situation is that the minister has indicated she will not be in a position to make a final decision until the end of the year."
