What people said about the Budget
"Car use is not a luxury, it is a basic necessity for those who want to live and work in Ireland, especially in rural areas where there are no public transport alternatives. Once again, the motorist is shouldering a big part of the burden." - Conor Faughnan, public affairs manager, AA, on the petrol price increase.
"We live in a globalised economy, but, apart from the enhanced RD credit, he [the Minister] has done nothing further to enhance Ireland Inc as a location for foreign direct investment." - Pádraig Cronin, head of tax and legal services, Deloitte.
"This Budget marks another year passed where the use of technology in schools was ignored. Each year, our education system produces another cohort of talented and bright Leaving Cert students; a large percentage will be lacking sufficient IT skills to operate in the modern working environment." - Shane Dempsey, director, Irish Software Association.
"In the light of the increases announced today, the State is giving to some of the poorest citizens in the State with one hand and it is taking back with another, at a time when pensioners are struggling to make ends meet." - Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins.
"The public can expect fewer festivals, fewer exhibitions, less theatre and less music. Individual artists can expect fewer bursaries. There are also likely to be job losses." - Michael Foley, deputy chair, the Arts Council, on the impact of less funding for the arts.
"This is a punitive tax that will hit leisure and business travellers alike and places an unfair burden on airlines and air passengers at what is already a difficult time for a sector attempting to maintain low fares against a backdrop of increasing costs." - Dave Walsh, sales manager, bmi Republic of Ireland on the 10 air travel tax.
"One of the more positive aspects of an early Budget is that we will know the shape of the Finance Bill before the next financial year in 2009." - Brian Keegan, director of taxation, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
"There is no doubt, however, that we have seen a major shift in tax policy. From the new levy, to increased third level fees, to medical expenses, everyone will make a contribution. More tax will be hoovered up under all the tax headings." - Mark Redmond, CEO, Irish Taxation Institute.
"The imposition of the levy on middle and lower income earners is further exacerbated by the failure to increase tax credits and the inadequate increase in the standard tax bands, not to mention increasing excise duty on petrol, which affects those who have to use a car travelling to and from work." - Jack O'Connor, general president, Siptu.
"We should call it a day for decentralisation. In the US, programmes like decentralisation are called 'pork projects'. The objective is to scatter public servants over 50 locations throughout the country, with no regard for the quality of the public service, or cost." - Gina Quin, CEO, Dublin Chamber.
"The increase in mortgage interest relief for first-time buyers is welcome and will help further improve the affordability of housing for first time buyers." - Tom Parlon, director general, Construction Industry Federation.