With just days to go before the budget for 2007, the Minister for Finance is now in a position to be more generous with the forthcoming budget. There has been a €4.9 Billion improvement in public finances compared to the budget target for the year.

Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, speaking to RTÉ News about these windfall gains says he plans to reward work in the budget and ensure that workers benefit from the positive public finances.  An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern describes the public finances as the culmination of good economic management.

Anne Doyle introduces two RTÉ News reports from George Lee and David Davin-Power.

Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Archives.

If you wish to licence video or audio clips, still images or text, or would like further guidance please contact us.

RTÉ Archives are committed to respecting the copyright of others and have attempted to source and credit the copyright owners of all material used here. RTÉ would like to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified here so that the necessary corrections can be made. If you feel your copyright has not been respected please contact us.