Cullen using €19.5m package ‘to buy votes’

LABOUR accused Environment Minister Martin Cullen of being like Santa Claus for trying to sweeten voters when he announces the €19.5 million urban renewal and Border grant package today.

The money is being used to buy votes in the lead up to next year's local and European elections, just like the National Lottery grants, Labour's Environment spokesman, Eamon Gilmore, claimed yesterday.

"Mr Cullen is like a political Santa Claus trying to sweeten the voters in the run up to next year's local and European elections," Mr Gilmore said.