Lenihan challenges parties over cuts

BRIAN Lenihan branded opposition parties policy-free zones last night as he challenged them to examine the national books and say how they would handle the economic crisis.

After bracing the country for up to €4 billion worth of cuts in the looming December Budget, the Finance Minister tried to turn his fire on Fine Gael and Labour.

He accused opposition leaders of hiding behind the excuse they did not have access to Finance Department information.