EC tells German politicians Ireland may fall short of budget targets

Ireland may need a mini-budget this year, according to documents supplied by the European Commission to politicians in Germany.

The commission said, if economic growth levels continue to deteriorate, Ireland will fall short of its targets under the bailout deal.

The leaked documents said a further deterioration in the economy could require additional fiscal tightening this year.

A spokesman for the Department of Finance has said it would not comment on leaked documents.