Ireland plans tax cuts, spending hikes as election looms

DUBLIN (AP) -- Ireland announced Tuesday it will inject a further 1.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion) in tax cuts and spending hikes into its already fast-growing economy as the country accelerates its rebound from an international bailout and banking crisis. Finance Minister Michael Noonan detailed a 2016 budget packed with measures designed to raise job growth, net incomes and welfare benefits. He forecast that Ireland in 2016 would achieve a Europe-leading rate of growth for the third straight y...