Noonan refuses to rule out tax hikes

FINANCE Minister Michael Noonan has refused to assure the public a forthcoming “jobs budget” will not include increased taxes or further cuts in spending.

He said the bailout team of the EU, IMF and European Commission are quite happy with “the method of funding it”.

But asked if a €220 million a year cost, previously signalled by Fine Gael, would mean further pain for taxpayers, the minister said: “You will have to wait until May.”