The Labour party today called for an inquiry into the apparent leaking of details on the upcoming Budget which appeared in a newspaper at the weekend.
The party's finance spokeswoman, Joan Burton called on Minister for Finance Briah Cowen to order an investigation into how information regarding changes to Vehicle Registration Tax appeared in the Sunday Independentyesterday.
Mr Cowen is due to deliver his Budget in the Dáil on December 5th.
"It is not clear whether this was an unauthorised 'leak' by some official or advisor or a deliberate 'plant' by or on behalf of some Minister," Ms Burton said in a statement.
"But whatever the circumstances members of the Dáil are entitled to know how this information appeared in the Taoiseach's favourite Sunday newspaper, long before the information is due to be given to the Dail," Ms Burton added.
Describing the incident as a "very serious breach of budget confidentiality", Ms Burton also said she was concerned that changes to the tax would most benefit higher earners rather than the average family.
"I am concerned that those who will benefit most may well be those who can afford the most modern, bigger and expensive cars. Some of the biggest savings will be on models like the Lexus, the cost of which is way beyond the means of most families," Ms Burton said.