Gormley: Budgets will bring cuts for number of years

The Environment Minister John Gormley is warning that major cuts will be made in December's Budget and over the coming years.

Opposition parties are being briefed this morning by Department of Finance officials on the extent of the crisis in the public finances.

Mr Gormley said a meeting of the party leaders will take place later this week where proposals to address the budgetary challenges will be discussed without preconditions.

Minister Gormley said the opposition parties will understand the gravity of the problems once they get a look at the figures today.