The Labour Party has called for an emergency Dáil sitting later this month to discuss the economic crisis.
The Dáil is on recess until January 27th. However, it will hold a special sitting on January 20th to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the first Dáail in 1919.
Labour's deputy leader and finance spokeswoman Joan Burton today called for Taoiseach Brian Cowen to convene a two-day sitting of the Dáil when TDs are in Dublin for the commemoration.
"As the Budget deficit for 2008 to be revealed tomorrow is now expected to be some €2 billion greater than suggested in the October Budget, I suggest the Taoiseach should arrange for a special two day Dail session to be convened immediately after the special sitting to hear a financial statement from the Minister for Finance," she said.
Ms Burton called on Brian Lenihan to publish an entirely revised Book of Estimates that "fully reflects" the current state of the public finances.
"It is absurd that Departments should commence the year with out of date estimates prepared last September that do not in any way reflect the true position of the nation's finances," the Dublin West TD said.