Opposition attack Govt over give-away budget 'plans'

Opposition parties renewed their attacks on the Government tonight claiming a give-away budget was still on the cards following a massive increase in income from property taxes.

Fine Gael Finance Spokesman Richard Bruton claimed the Government is reaping a windfall gain from the booming housing market as new figures revealed the Exchequer is on course to receive €7.3bn from the sector in 2006 compared to €2bn in 2002.