A Fianna Fáil TD has warned that the Government will need to hold a mini-Budget in the coming weeks if public spending is not reduced further.
John McGuinness' comments come after the Finance Minister Michael Noonan yesterday warned that economic growth this year will be weaker than the Government had expected.
However, Minister Noonan told an Oireachtas Finance Committee that he is confident the Government will still be able to meet all of its targets.
"It's now clear that we're not meeting those targets and that we're still at a very low level in terms of growth if we have any at all," said Deputy McGuinness.
"That will affect the take of tax by the Government, and it's quite possible that they may have to look at another Budget."