Noonan drops hint of tax cuts

The Finance Minister Michael Noonan has given his clearest indication yet he will consider tax cuts in the coming budgets.

Mr Noonan announced the move at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Dublin where he said the plan to get to full employment by 2020 should be achieved sooner if at all possible.

Addressing his party's Ard Fheis this afternoon the Finance Minister said the Government is focussing on policies to achieve full employment and grow the economy.

Mr Noonan says that includes tax cuts: "We need a real economy where our people who supported us so loyally during the difficult times are beginning to see the benefits in their personal lives and their family lives. And that is vitally important."

Earlier, Jobs Minister Richard Bruton warned recovery is a fragile thing and that the gains of recent years could easily be lost.