Economic situation to top agenda at Cabinet meeting
The state of the Irish economy is expected to top the agenda when the Cabinet holds its regular weekly meeting in Dublin today.
The Government is understood to be preparing a programme of swingeing cutbacks following a sharp deterioration in the public finances.
The situation has been caused by a massive downturn in the construction sector that has left Ireland facing into a period of recession.
Exchequer figures due to be published tomorrow should give a clear of the picture of the effect this has had on the public finances.
Commentators believe the Government could be facing a budget deficit of more than €3bn.
Any cutbacks are expected to focus on day-to-day spending rather than major infrastructural projects deemed important to the future of the Irish economy.
