The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment described today's package as a fair budget, a pro-enterprise budget and as a "radical and reforming budget for Ireland".
Ms Harney said the Government was about to implement a "bold and immediate programme" of full-scale decentralisation.
"No government in the history of the State has made such a bold move on this scale for the regions. It is a key part of our economic strategy for fairness and prosperity for all the people of Ireland," she said.
"The country is doing well. We are addressing the economic challenges. 1.8 million of us are at work, more than ever before in modern times. This is a great foundation for our future prosperity."
Ms Harney said the Budget holds to the Government's successful economic strategy. "We are holding to our promise to keep taxes down and to keep jobs coming," she said.
"It's a fair budget, too. We are holding to our promise for higher pensions, higher child benefit and higher welfare support."
The Tanaiste said the tax cuts announced in the Budget were designed for the lower paid. Some 90 per cent of the new €7 minimum wage, due to be introduced in February, would be exempt from tax.
Ms Harney noted the introduction of a new tax credit for incremental research and development to support the strategy of "transforming industry through innovation".
"This is a clear signal to business that this government is supporting their efforts to develop new products and win new markets. It complements our direct programs of growing Ireland's research performance through the third level colleges, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, along with the sectoral research agencies."
The removal of stamp duty on the registration of patents also underlines that Ireland intends to become a world leader in converting ideas into jobs, Ms Harney said.
"Ireland's national economic strategy is now clearly founded on research and innovation."
The Tanaiste added that the extension of the improved BES and seed capital schemes would mean that start-up businesses will continue to find support in Ireland for their real financing needs. The retention of the Section 481 film relief would help the build-up of expertise and employment in the film industry in Ireland.