Shock figures show buoyant economy

FINANCE Minister Brian Cowen is in a very strong position to frame a generous giveaway budget next Wednesday, following the release of remarkable Exchequer returns this morning.

The pre-budget White Paper on the State’s finances for 2004, published early this morning, shows a buoyant economy, that has spectacularly exceeded Department of Finance projections.

Finance’s latest assessment is that the €2.8 billion Exchequer deficit projected for this year will be virtually wiped out.