The Taoiseach has told the Dail that the Budget is "fair and progressive" and looks after "those who are the least well off.
During a debate in the Budget he said it would send out a "message of confidence at home and abroad, that "we are determined to remain on top of the situation despite the further deterioration in the world economy".
"It strikes the right balance between social protection for today's people and today's needs, and investment to underpin and secure our economic prospects into the future," Mr Ahern said.
"We have over-indexed tax credits and bands consistently in the past few years, so the pause in this year's Budget, given the difficult circumstances, will I believe be understood by most taxpayers.
We still have a tax system that is the most benign in Europe towards the low-paid and one that is competitive at nearly all levels with other OECD countries."
The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment Ms Harney told the Dail the Budget contains "a major package of funder for infrastructure.
"I believe that this is a fair and reasonable budget. It consolidates the progress of the last five years. It copper-fastens Ireland's position as the enterprise economy of Europe. And it puts the public finances on a sound and secure footing.
"That is what this economy needs and that is what this country needs."
On RTE radio this morning he Minister for Finance Mr McCreevy rejected criticism of the Budget "There is always going to be complaints, you have to ride out that," he said.
He denied being worried that the Budget would dampen down the economy at a time when it needs an uplift.
He said it "was framed against the background of the current economic climate."
"I wouldn't like to give the impression that public finances are out of control despite all the 'hoo-ha' and stuff that has been written throughout the year," Mr McCreevy said.