Bacik dismisses Sinn Féin calls for bailout referendum

A Dublin senator has shot down Sinn Féin's suggestion that the new Government should hold a referendum on the EU/IMF bailout deal.

Labour's Ivana Bacik said the people of Ireland already voted on the loan when they cast their vote in last month's General Election.

Ms Bacik said what the country needs now is to move forward and stop delaying the process.

"I don't see the need for a referendum, I don't see what purpose it would serve at this point and time," she said.

"I think the critical few weeks…are upon us and a referendum (on the bailout) now or in a few months time…I just don't see the point.

"Now is the critical time to renegotiate the deal and we have a clear mandate to do that from the people."