The Tánaiste says it is too early to be talking about what will be in the October budget for next year.

The comments from Eamon Gilmore come after the Finance Minister revealed he plans to cut taxes for middle-income earners in the next two budgets.

Michael Noonan said he wants to do it by adjusting the tax bands.

Mr. Noonan told Fine Gael local election candidates that the easing of the tax load on middle-income workers is a top priority.

At the launch of the local election campaign for the party, he has said all the recent data signals a modest economic recovery.

And he said he wants to cut the tax burden and that he wants to start doing so in the budget this October.

While speaking at the launch of the local and European election campaign for the Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore was asked if he supported the move.

Meanwhile the government tax receipts for April are 9% higher than they were a year ago. The Finance Minister says he saw a preview of the figures last night.

He says the income tax take is about 6.5% higher than it was 12 months ago.

The comments come ahead of the official release of the latest Exchequer Returns tomorrow afternoon.