Old reliables to take Budget hit

FINANCE Minister Charlie McCreevy will revert to hammering the old reliables alcohol, tobacco and petrol in an effort to manage the country’s tightest Budget in a decade.

Mr McCreevy will also signal in Wednesday’s Budget that the tobacco and alcohol levies will help fund the health services while increased petrol taxes will go to fund roads.

The moves come in an effort to increase revenue in a year which will see the economy slow considerably, bringing sluggish tax revenues and vastly reduced consumer spending.