€1bn wiped from Exchequer last month

THE probability of a hair shirt Budget on December 4 became a certainty last night as figures showed €1 billion was wiped from Exchequer finances last month.

Exchequer returns, which showed a €600m surplus at the end of September, had become a deficit of €439m by the end of last month.

The Government's concerns about tax revenues remained a focus for debate as some observers blamed