The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has vowed that correct decisions for the future of the Irish economy will be made in the forthcoming budget.
The budget is being unveiled in less than two weeks after being brought forward due to the massive deterioration in the public finances this year.
In a speech at Trinity College Dublin last night, Mr Cowen called on the Irish people to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Government and support the tough decisions necessary to protect the economy.