Fine Gael accuse Government of post-election cuts

FINE GAEL yesterday raised its suspicions that the Government may embark on a series of swingeing post-election cutbacks.

The main opposition party was responding to weekend media reports that Tánaiste Brian Cowen has told ministerial colleagues that growth in government spending will be almost halved next year.

The report in the Sunday Business Post also said that Mr Cowen, also the minister for finance, would also put pressure on the Health Services Executive to stay within its budgetary limits next year.