The Cabinet will meet in Dublin today for detailed discussions on the spending estimates for next year, the budget and Ireland's EU presidency which begins on January 1st.
While the Cabinet normally meets every Tuesday or Wednesday, this Saturday's meeting is designed to ensure the maximum attendance of Ministers for important talks on budgetary policy and the plans for the presidency.
Midweek meetings rarely get a full attendance, with some Ministers typically away on EU business or steering legislation through the Oireachtas.
Today's meeting will involve detailed discussions of Government spending estimates for 2004, which are due to be published in mid-November in advance of the budget on December 3rd.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, who with the Taoiseach returned last night from an EU summit in Brussels, will brief his colleagues on plans for Ireland's EU presidency.
He will also hear reports from Ministers on their plans for chairing EU business in their policy areas.