Here are ten of the best quotes from Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin's Budget 2016 speeches.
Michael Noonan, Minister for Finance
1.“This Government has consigned to the history books the days of boom and bust, and the attitude of ‘if I have it, I’ll spend it.’”
2 "The last few budgets have been hard, but they made it possible for Ireland to exit the bailout, reduce our debts and move into a real recovery. The top priority of this budget is to keep that recovery going, while providing relief and better services for the Irish people."
3. "The Irish people gave this Government the task of fixing a broken economy and getting Ireland working again. We put in place a plan and the people stuck with us. It is a testament to the commitment and resilience of the Irish people that Ireland is on course to be the fastest growing economy in Europe for a second consecutive year."
4. “An economy built on a number of strong sectors is more stable, more resilient and less susceptible to shocks. One key lesson we have learned from the most recent crisis is the danger of an overreliance on one sector for growth, jobs and taxation.”
5. “The budget I have announced today will help to secure the recovery.
“It will provide stability to families across the country.
“It will reward work, enterprise and innovation.
“It will provide the resources for investment in essential public services.
“It will provide working families with more money in their pockets and higher quality public services.
“It will give certainty to the Irish people of a better future.
“But more important than anything else, it will keep the recovery going.”
Brendan Howlin, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
6. “Through prudent and careful management of the State’s finances, this Government brought the country back from the brink. Our recovery, though not yet complete, is not only a justification of our policies, but a condemnation of the easy alternatives proffered by some. Who speaks of Syriza now?”
7. “We have the highest level of economic growth in the OECD. Our economy is now larger than its pre-crisis peak.
“It is, by any standards, a remarkable turnaround. And it is a tribute to the resilience of the Irish people.”
8. "The best form of social protection is a job. The reduction in unemployment from a peak of 15.2 per cent to 9.4 per cent has been this Government's single biggest achievement. But this is still too high. Budget 2016 will support further job creation."
9. “A key focus of activity next year is to ensure that the benefits of economic recovery, particularly in terms of employment, reach all parts of the country.”
10. “2016 will be an historic year for our country.
“It is right that we mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising with commemoration events that we can all be proud of. The Rising was the event that propelled our nation on the path to independent statehood. We need to mark it with respect, be aware of its complexities and appreciative of its idealism.
“We are the beneficiaries of its legacy.”
