The Taoiseach says taxes such as the universal social charge water charges and property tax will all continue despite Ireland exiting the bailout.

Following three years of emergency support the government is once again able to borrow money on the international markets in the normal manner.

After getting a mixed response to his State of the Nation address last night, Enda Kenny says that the successful exit of that programme makes us more attractive as a location for investment.

However speaking to MidWest Radio, Enda Kenny said taxes introduced during the recession will remain in place.

 It comes as the employers' group IBEC has forecast growth of up to 2.8% next year, which is far higher than the growth planned in the Budget.

IBEC says the successful bailout exit was "a testament to sensible government policy and the strength and resilience of the country's business sector".

The group says it is now time to reduce income tax, reform public sector pensions, invest much more in infrastructure and do more to help get people back to work.

In its 2014 forecasts, it revised upwards its GDP growth prediction, from 2.3% to 2.8%, the group predicted that investment in the economy will increase by 15.5% (previous projection 9.7%) and consumer spending will increase by 1.3% (previous projection 1%).