The Taoiseach says the budget will send the necessary message to the Irish people and around the world that the country is in charge of its affairs.

And the Finance Minister’s declared this will be the toughest budget, but he’s confident it will get the support of backbenchers to pass it.

“We have to secure 4 billion in savings – we’re going to do that, but we’re going to ensure that’s done in as fair a way as possible”

He warned it’ll be tough, the most difficult were the words he used.

Brian Lenihan’s planning public service pay cuts, slashing every welfare payment bar old age pensions, cuts in services, a carbon tax which will hike petrol and diesel, increases in charges, and maybe a couple of sweeteners like cheaper drink and a car scrappage scheme.

Down the street in Leinster House, the Taoiseach was getting it from the Opposition that they were taking money from people to bail out the banks.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said “The reason that billions are going to be taken out of people’s pockets this afternoon is the same reason – and the reason is that you and your party, and your friends developers and your friends in the bankers have ruined this economy”.

“We are going to hear the high price that the people of this country is going to have to pay for having Fianna Fail in government for far too long” he added.

But the claims angered Brian Cowen.

“To send as I say the necessary confidence internally and externally – both within the country and externally – that this country will manage its affairs; this country and this government will take the decisions that are necessary” the Taoiseach said.