Opposition warns of stealth taxes

DEPARTMENT of Environment spending will barely keep pace with inflation next year - and the opposition has warned that more stealth taxes could be introduced to cover gaps in funding.

Fine Gael and Labour say key Government commitments such as social housing provision, will not be met as they have been allocated insufficient resources.

Environment Minister Dick Roche yesterday announced his department had been allocated €2.57 billion for 2006, an increase of 2.8%. Inflation is 3%.