Budget cuts surrounding the withdrawal of medical cards, the removal of a telephone allowance and death grants, and the slashing of maternity benefit will dominate Dáil business today.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will face questions from the opposition for the first time since the measures were announced yesterday.

Last night the top brass in Fine Gael and Labour felt they'd pulled it off and were over the worst of budget 14.

There was no one issue on the minds of backbenchers - who were even quizzing journalists about what potential landmines there would be.

They'll find out this morning when opposition leaders bring up the main issues they feel are too harsh from the budget.

they could focus on the plan to make savings in medical cards - the only way to do that is to withdraw some.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin thinks that's feasible:

But the withdrawal of the telephone allowance, death benefit and cuts to maternity benefit have also seen this budget dubbed as cuts from the cradle to the grave.