<p><br /> The Irish Government will impose a 6 billion euro cost-cutting Budget next month in an attempt to restore the country's crippled finances.<br /> </p><p><br /> Finance Minister Brian Lenihan unveiled the staggering scale of savings needed - up to 16 billion euros over the next four years in a bid to revive international confidence.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Lenihan revealed that the savings over the next four years stretch to 3-4 billion euros in 2012, 3-3.5 billion in 2013 and 2-2.5 billion in 2014.<br /> </p><p><br /> The figures for the total timeframe are about double what had been forecast a year ago.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Government's pre-Budget outlook said it hoped to raise three times as much money next year through cutting spending than increasing taxes.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Lenihan added: "I want to stress again the strength of the Government's resolve to return the country to a sustainable fiscal position. I am well aware that such measures will impact on the living standards of everybody.<br /> </p><p><br /> "But our spending and revenues must be more closely aligned. This is the only way to ensure the future economic well-being of our society."<br /> </p>
