Howlin calls for McCreevy's resignation

Deputy Labour leader Brendan Howlin is calling for the Finance Minister's resignation in the wake of the weekend's spending cuts leaks.

Deputy Labour leader Brendan Howlin is calling for the Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy's resignation in the wake of the weekend's spending cuts leaks.

The revelations came in a leaked Departmental memorandum obtained by the Sunday Tribune, detailing cuts across the board, totalling almost a billion euro.

Although it is unlikely that the cuts could be implemented before 2003, there is widespread anger as it has now emerged that there was overspending to the tune of 27% in the 12 months preceding the General Election.

Brendan Howlin says somebody must be held accountable for what he terms 'deceit' and 'duplicity'.