Ireland seeks to keep market confidence

If Ireland were to get the same conditions given to the Greeks, it would reduce the budget deficit substantially over the next few difficult years, according to analysts.

However, the attitude of the Government is to not pursue this just now but rather concentrate on getting a deal to cut the cost of the Anglo Irish Bank promissory notes, and on the additional €32bn put into the pillar banks.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny echoed in the Dáil the philosophy of the troika and the Government over the past few years that the priority must be to maintain and increase market confidence in the country.