Budget to have green slant despite expected deficit

BUDGET 2008 will have a significant green bias in spite of the deteriorating economic position that may require the State to borrow €1.7 billion next year, the Irish Examiner has learnt.

While the ambitious commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 15% by 2012 is costly, the policy is not going to be affected by changed economic circumstances, the Green Party said yesterday.

Tánaiste and Finance Minister Brian Cowen will for the first time include an extensive section on the environment and climate change in his budget speech, as he also delivers a “carbon budget” on Wednesday.