Varadkar: Nothing decided yet in Budget 2013

The Transport and Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar has said the Government has made no decisions regarding next year's Budget.

Mr Varadkar's comments come after a Government document to the Troika revealed that the Coalition plans to introduce a raft of tax increases in Budget 2013.

It includes plans to increase motor tax, excise duty on cigarettes and alcohol and to widen the income tax net.

Fianna Fáil have accused the Government of reneging on its promises not to increase income tax.

Minister Varadkar said "it won't be easy" but the Government has to balance the books in December.

He said: "There really aren't any decisions made yet on the Budget. We have a €3.5bn adjustment to make, it is going to be really difficult, particularly on top of all the cuts and tax increases that have happened in the budgets before now.

"But it does have to be done, we have to balance the books and over the next few months, the Dáil and the Cabinet will be making those decisions, but they are not made yet."