IMF backs Michael Noonan’s bid for Irish budget flexibility

Government efforts to convince the European Commission to allow greater flexibility in putting together the next budget have been handed significant backing from the IMF.

It rowed in behind Finance Minister Michael Noonan’s claims that further flexibility should be afforded to Ireland as the EU’s budgetary rules begin to apply to the country from the next budget onwards, following the bailout exit.

Earlier this month, Mr Noonan said he was committed to adhering to EU rules but did not want to be derided by his electorate and was asking the commission for room to manoeuvre in the application of the rules.