McCreevy won't rule out tax rise

FINANCE Minister Charlie McCreevy refused yesterday to rule out tax increases if the economy continued to deteriorate.

Mr McCreevy said the Government would do whatever was necessary to keep the budget as close to balance as possible.

Asked if the increasing yawning gap between income and expenditure would not tempt the Government to increase taxes, Mr McCreevy said: "There is nothing ruled in or out in order to keep the public finances in line."