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Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said today his party will not back the Government over next month's budget to further limit the coalition's chances of getting harsh austerity cuts past a slim Dáil majority.

"No, I'm not and I'll tell you why. I have no faith in this Government," Mr Kenny said when asked whether he would vote in favour of the budget.

"This Government have no credibility left and somebody needs a new mandate. If the Government are as confident as they say they are about their budget, then they could have an election before then," the Fine Gael leader said, speaking on RTÉ.

Unlike Labour, however, Mr Kenny said he broadly agreed with next year's €6 billion figure and the four-year aimed adjustment of €15 billion and that Fine Gael would look to rely on spending cuts rather than tax increases to slim Ireland's budget deficit.