Ten reasons why the Government is facing an annus horribilis

THE new year is likely to be horrible for the Government.

It is facing into a potentially dreadful economic environment, both domestically and internationally, and may have to make many decisions that will make it very unpopular with the electorate. Already it has been confirmed that tensions are present at cabinet, with serious disagreements between Fine Gael and Labour as to what can and should be done to deal with the economic crisis affecting the country. Here are 10 major pressure points that the Government will have to cope with in 2012.

1. An end to our part in the euro