Review of Programme for Government set for September

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said today that a review of the Programme for Government should be complete by the time the Dáil resumes after its upcoming summer break.

The Green Party sought the review earlier this year in an effort to get more of its policies implemented.

However, any changes are likely to go much further than green policies as the original programme was based on predicted economic growth of 4% per annum.

Figures from the CSO yesterday showed that the Irish GNP actually contacted by 12% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.

Cowen told the Dáil this morning that consultations on the review were already taking place and he hoped to have a revised programme in place by the time TDs return to Leinster House in September.