Cowen rejects all-party budget forum

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has poured cold water on the Green Party’s call for all-party consensus prior to December’s budget.

Mr Cowen indicated that while the Government would consider Opposition proposals, it was the Coalition’s job to craft the budget.

Opposition leaders had dismissed Mr Gormley’s proposal as a ploy. They said that while they would sit down with the Government, they would not go out on a limb to prolong the coalition’s time in office.