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Tue 09 Sep 2007Cowen says State spending must be reined inGovernment spending will have to be cut back sharply in the upcoming budget, Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, has warned the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.However, Mr Cowen said the State's €180 billion National Development Plan will play a key role in spurring economic activity in coming years, and compensate for the fall in house construction.