Berlin rules out easing Irish bailout terms

Germany has ruled out easing the terms of Ireland’s bailout along similar lines given to Greece earlier this week in a move that will cut its debt by €40bn

A spokesperson for German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said “What was decided for Greece was absolutely necessary to put it back on track. What happened there had nothing whatsoever to do with the other programme countries.”

Finance Minister Michael Noonan said he was examining the concessions given to Greece and he hoped to get similar as the country is exiting the bailout programme next year when funding could become very tight.