Ahern says Budget shows caring Government

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has claimed yesterday's budget was proof the Government was working to help the less well off in Irish society.

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen's first budget took all minimum wage earners out of the tax net, while also increasing tax credits and the standard-rate tax band and modifying nine of the so-called "savage 16" cutbacks introduced last year.