A finance deal to upgrade the Cork to Limerick road could be drawing closer after discussions held with the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg and Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has insisted there was “no bad faith” between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in the budget negotiations after the Government party found an extra €300m in the final days of talks.

Corporate taxes contributed about 15% of all tax revenues the State raises, Finance Minister Michael Noonan said yesterday, but there was no disguising the extent to which the billions of euro in extra company tax unexpectedly pouring into the exchequer has boosted the chances of the Coalition parties at the looming election.

Coalition ministers yesterday hailed a bounty of taxes, saying that the economic recovery has been secured and reiterated plans for an expansionary pre-budget budget.

Buoyant government tax receipts to be announced today will likely strengthen pressure for more give-aways in the looming budget.

The Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin said the Government will spend €2.2bn on social housing units.

Cabinet ministers have been warned to abandon "unrealistic" budget plans and settle for what is available.

A Labour junior minister has said she hopes Alan Shatter waives his €70,000 severance pay packet.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has been forced into an embarrassing U-turn on controversial changes to the country’s Freedom of Information (FOI) laws.

Free GP care for the under fives and maintaining class sizes will be part of a €2.5bn package of tax hikes and spending cuts for next year, after a deal was last night hammered out between Coalition parties.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has said unions urging their members to vote No to Croke Park II are only offering uncertainty to public servants.

As Ireland braces itself for its sixth austerity budget since the economic crisis began, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has pledged to protect frontline services and the vulnerable.

Government Ministers have insisted their embattled Cabinet colleague James Reilly has full support from the Coalition despite rumours of a rift.

The Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin is admitting the delay in getting the green light for Europe's new bailout fund could have pushed back a deal on our banking debt.

Efforts are being made to resolve a split between the Government parties over proposed cuts to the health budget.

Ireland is on the brink of receiving funds for a major stimulus package from the bank funded by the European Union following a meeting with Government ministers.