Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan’s speech is available to read here, or to watch here.
The Government’s summary of the measures announced in the Budget is available here.
Ireland's local councillors earned a total of more than €25m last year, according to reports today.
The Irish Farmers Journal said 229 councillors collected more than €40,000 each in expenses and allowances, while 54 collected more than €50,000.
The highest earner was Fianna Fáil's Jimmy Maloney, a councillor in Mayo, who picked up more than €75,000 in 2002.
The Labour Party's Paula Desmond, from Cork, received more than €74,600, while Fianna Fáil's Francis Conaghan, a Donegal councillor, collected €69,255.
Kerry councillor Paul O'Donoghue (FF), a brother of Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue, also received more than €68,600.
The figures relate to 26 local authorities and were gathered by means of requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
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