The Education Minister says the government still has a long road to travel ahead of the publication of its third annual report today.

It is expected to declare that the exit from the bailout is giving Ireland the right to determine its own financial affairs.

Since the last annual report the number of people in employment has risen by over 60,000 - though net emigration has risen by the same amount - and the budget deficit has been cut by over 20%.

Education Minister Ruairí Quinn says real progress has been made but there's still a long way to go:

Meanwhile, Transport & Tourism minister Leo Varadkar told Newstalk's Breakfast earlier that the government won't use the launch as an opportunity to celebrate, because they are extremely aware that businesses continue to struggle and unemployments is stuck at an unacceptably high level.

The government is expected to sound a note of caution though, tempering expectations ahead of local elections in May.

The Fine Gael / Labour coalition will have to underline that the economy is still fragile, and that any suggestions of easing the tax burden may have to wait until after the next Budget at the very least.