EU Presidency tops agenda at Cabinet meeting

The Cabinet meets for the first time in five weeks today in Emo Court, Co Laois with plans for Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the EU topping the agenda.

Other issues likely to be discussed are include the proposed ban on smoking in the workplace and the increasingly bleak economic situation faced by the Government.

The meeting is being held the Minster for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen's constituency.

Mr Cowen is to give a presentation outlining Government plans for the Presidency of the European Union which starts in January.

Although not formally on the agenda there is likely to discussions on the latest Exchequer figures, published yesterday.The figures show a deficit of spending over revenue of €892 million for the first eight months of this year, compared to a surplus of €951 million at the same time last year.