Irish budget to come under scrutiny today

The EU Council of Ministers is due to discuss Ireland's budgetary spending and subsequent rap on the knuckles today.

The Ecofin meeting in Luxembourg will examine Ireland's compliance with European economic guidelines.

But - coming two days before the vote on the Nice Treaty - the meeting is seen as a potential problem in passing the referendum in Ireland.

Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy is attending today's meeting, at which other member states will also have their financial policies examined.