IT'S to the Herald that TDs turn to get their Budget information -- and they said so in the Dail.

Before politicians had opened a copy of this year's Budget, we had revealed the key points, much to the amusement of Enda Kenny and the Opposition.

As the Ceann Comhairle introduced Finance Minister Brian Lenihan's speech yesterday evening, he asked members not to reveal details of the budget.

"I remind members that the Budget documents which are being circulated remain confidential until the Minister has announced them," said Seamus Kirk.

"They should not be taken or sent by any means from the House before the conclusion of the statement."

But the Dail erupted to shouts of "read the Herald" and "it's in the Herald" as our front page carried the majority of the points which were later revealed by the Finance Minister.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny even waved a copy of the Evening Herald to his colleagues in the House.

benefits

The Herald outlined that there would be phased public service pay cuts, a reduction in social welfare payments and child benefits payments within the Budget.

We also broke the news that the Government intended to slash the price of alcohol.

Sources had confirmed that the Budget would go against precedent by reducing the price of beer, wine, spirits and cider as part of a three-fold strategy.

Excise duty will be reduced by around 20pc in the hope of softening the overall blow of the Budget to ordinary people, to boost sales and halt the exodus of shoppers across the border

Brian Lenihan's ambitious plans to cut the pay of State employees by a tiered system was also detailed in yesterday's paper, hours before it had been announced in the Dail.

"The pay of State employees will be deducted by way of a tiered system that will see different portions of their income hit by different reductions," political reporter Kevin Doyle wrote.

The Herald revealed that charges on home-heating oil and briquettes will not be enforced until May next year and among positive measures included we outlined the extension of a scheme introduced last April to stimulate new business.

Companies set up in 2010 will be exempt from paying income or gains taxes for three year, subject to meeting certain criteria.

The Herald also detailed the measures to cut ministerial pay, which would see Taoiseach Brian Cowen taking a 20pc pay cut amounting to a saving of around €57,000 for the Exchequer, while Ministers will lose out on €34,000 each.

cmurphy@herald.ie

- Claire Murphy