Government told stick to bailout plan

The Government should stick to the commitments made under the bailout programme, according to the European Commission’s director general of economic and monetary affairs, Mario Buti.

Mr Buti did not make any specific mention of October’s budget but did note the challenges facing the Government’s fiscal position.

“Ireland has made considerable strides towards putting public finances on a more sustainable footing, but the fiscal deficit remains large and the debt ratio high. Other challenges to public finances such as weak growth and an ageing population still loom.