Keeping inflation low' one of Budget priorities', says McCreevy

Finance Minister Charle McCreevy has taken to the floor in the Dáil chamber to deliver his Budget statement for next year.

Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy has taken to the floor in the Dáil chamber to deliver his Budget statement for next year.

He has said the 2004 Budget represents a "turning point in our economic progress".

He also said that Ireland had come out of the recent worldwide recession "better than most".

Mr McCreevy said the objectives of this year's Budget were to "foster employment and growth" and to continue a prudent approach to public spending. He added that infrastructure was another priority, as was keeping inflation low.