NDP faces cuts amid economic doom and gloom

FEARS that key parts of the National Development Plan could be abandoned emerged last night as the economic outlook took a sharp downturn.

With the latest assessment from Davy stockbrokers slashing growth rates to 2% next year, Taoiseach Brian Cowen made it clear the plan was based on the economy expanding at 4.5%.

Fine Gael seized on the comments — expressing concern the Government was preparing to drop investment commitments in transport and health.