Subdued tone belies swingeing blows in Budget 2013

Here is how the two men introduced a budget with €1.25bn in new taxes and €2.25bn less money coming from Government.

:: In slashing tax relief for pensions worth more than €60,000 a year, Mr Noonan shied away from any broadsides on the high-earning classes. “Some people have been allowed by previous Governments to benefit from hugely generous pension arrangements subsidised by the taxpayer,” he said.

:: Mr Howlin detailed the €10 child benefit cut and raft of household allowances to be shelved. “We are conscious of the impact that this will have on many households,” he said.

:: Commending his section of the budget to the Dáil, Mr Howlin offered an attempt at public empathy.

“In time, future generations will be proud that we, as a people, tackled this crisis head on,” Mr Howlin said. “There remain difficult challenges ahead of us but Ireland and her people will prosper again.”

:: Without some of the histrionics and declarations heard in budgets of times gone by, Mr Noonan made the case for the anticipated standard and mansion class property taxes by saying Ireland was playing catch-up.

“Property taxes are used across the world as they are better for the protection and creation of jobs than taxes that increase the cost of employment,” he said.

:: Mr Noonan declared PRSI reforms – doubling self-employed contributions, applying it to unearned income and bringing all workers into the loop – as forward-looking.

“These measures will make a fairer link between the amount of contributions and the significant benefits received. These changes are progressive,” he said.

:: Hikes to duty on wine, beer, spirits and cigarettes and the sparing of excise on petrol and diesel were introduced with zero commentary – even if €1 on a bottle of wine and the freeze on fuel were among few surprises.

:: Mr Howlin made a further attempt at making up ground with the man on the street by announcing the abolition of at least one political bonus, derided by opponents as a gravy train. “It is untenable to have a system of ’unvouched’ expenses,” he told the Dáil.

:: Elsewhere, his views on severance payments to outgoing ministers were clear: “I do not believe this is justifiable any more.”

:: As the Labour minister announced an increase to university fees by €250 in each of 2013, 2014 and 2015 he said: “This is necessary to help maintain higher education services at a time when the Exchequer is severely constrained.”

:: Earlier, his coalition colleague rounded off a reserved speech with little fanfare: “We are now well on the road to recovery so let’s look to the future with confidence.”