Ahern defends Government's economic record

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has hit back at critics of the Government's economic policies outlined in the Budget.

Mr Ahern has told the Dáil's Budget debate that the opposition and commentators shouldn't forget that Ireland has the second best-performing economy in the EU.

Mr Ahern quoted Directors of the International Monetary Fund who've praised the management of the Irish economy for its “exemplary track record of sound economic policies, which have resulted in a dynamic, open and robust economy with growth noticeably over the EU average over the last decade and resilient to extra shocks”.