Govt urged to clarify 'mini-budget' question after draft report leaked in Berlin

Opposition parties have called for an explanation from the Government after documents supplied to the German parliament suggest that Ireland may need to have a mini-budget this year.

Opposition parties have called for an explanation from the Government after documents leaked to the German parliament suggest that Ireland may need to have a mini-budget this year.

A draft report by the European Commission and leaked to the Bundestag ahead of scheduled publication today indicated that further "fiscal tightening" will be needed if the economy continues to decline.