Leaked document raises fears of cabinet unease

A Sunday newspaper has published details of an internal Government memo, which suggests growing divisions within the cabinet over budgetary cutbacks.

According to a leaked document from a top ranking civil servant to the Department of Finance, the Minister for Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue, and his senior advisors are angry that other Ministers didn't accept cutbacks in their departments.

The Sunday Independent reports that the memo, sent by Secretary General of Dept of Art and Tourism Phillp Furlong, to the Department of Finance, expressed the belief that the Arts is being singled out to take more than it's fair share of cuts.

Mr Furlong is reported to have stated that he felt that the cutting of €5m from the Arts Council allocation would be perceived as a downgrading of the portfolio.

He added that John O'Donoghue's commitment to the sector would also be called in question because of the move.