Cowen invites Opposition to Budget meeting

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has written to Opposition leaders today inviting them to a meeting to see if consensus can be achieved on Budget plans.

In the letters, he admits the Government does not have a monopoly on wisdom and that every sensible and viable proposal needs to be considered.

The move comes after earlier statements from Fine Gael Finance Spokesman Michael Noonan, accusing Mr Cowen of "pouring cold water" on efforts to reach a consensus on a four-year Budget plan.

More on this as we get it.