The Taoiseach has said the country's economic and budgetary position is a real test of social partnership.
Brian Cowen said Ireland needs to make sure it does not go into a borrowing spiral that puts it back to where it was 15 years ago.
Mr Cowen was speakingat the end of a visit to China where he has been attending an EU- Asia summit which addressed the global financial crisis.
Meanwhile, several hundred people have protested in Longford at the proposed closure of Connolly Barracks in the town
Protestors, including families of Defence Forces personnel, former servicemen and local business people, marched through the main street to the entrance of the barracks.
The Minister for Finance announced the closure of Connolly barracks along with three other camps and a military hospital in the Budget
Local people in Longford have estimated a total loss to the economy of €6 million a year and said they intend to take their protest to Dublin on Wednesday.
Separate protests from teachers, parents and school children are also expected to take place in the capital on Wednesday.
Meanwhile in Limerick, several hundred people took part in a protest in the city over the withdrawal of the medical card from some over 70s.
The protest was organised by a 72-year-old Phonsie Ryan who said the changes announced by the Government during the week to assuage the concerns of the elderly were not enough.
Mr Ryan said the elderly feared the income thresholds could easily be reduced in a year's time.
Elsewhere, Sinn Féin has organised pickets at the constituency offices of a number of Government ministers, in protest at budget cutbacks.
