Lenihan firm on cutbacks

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan last night moved to impose his will on cabinet colleagues as they rushed to complete their bids for spending ahead of the emergency budget.

Mr Lenihan was using today’s cabinet session to lay down the law on the need for cutbacks across the board as he finalises plans for October 14.

The surprise decision to rush forward the budget by seven weeks has left departments frantically trying to get estimates together for 2009 spending.