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Fri 10 Oct 2007Tough Budget on way as growth slows downA tough Budget in December is now virtually certain after Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen acknowledged that the economy has passed a "turning point" and conceded that the rate of economic growth will slow appreciably in the next three years.Slower economic growth and a much bigger bill for maintaining existing public services point to a difficult negotiation between Mr Cowen and his Government colleagues on any new spending measures in the run-up to Budget day on December 5th.