Cowen: No silver bullet to fix crisis

NEXT Tuesday’s emergency budget won’t be a “silver bullet” to solve the economic crisis, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said.

Echoing comments made by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan this week, Mr Cowen indicated it would take several years for the public finances to be restored to health, with the budget being the “first step” in the process.

He also hinted that the number of junior ministers — which currently stands at 20 — would be cut.