Bruton determined to ensure 'fair' Budget

The Jobs and Enterprise Minister says the government is determined to ensure the Budget is compiled in a "fair fashion".

The target of €3.5bn euro in tax hikes and spending cuts for 2013 will be announced next week.

Richard Bruton says that while the "broad parameters" have been set out people don't want to see any advanced speculation.

The Minister says he won't confirm or deny rumours on the Budget contents but he says difficult decisions are being made.

"We have the pressure to find €3.5bn and want to make decisions collectively. I'm not going to add speculation to comments from any source.

"We have difficult decisions to make but we're going to take them with the best interests of the community and make sure what we do is done in a fair fashion. That is our determination."