Greek government teeters on brink

Eurozone finance ministers have returned to Brussels for a fifth attempt to agree a Greek deal as its government teeters on the brink.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny rejected suggestions he was overly tough on the Greeks, saying they should not get a debt writedown and advising them to follow Ireland’s example and make spending cuts rather than increase tax.

However, his claims that Irish tax was not increased were disputed by the Nevin Economic Research Institute which set out the increased cost to citizens of Vat, income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge.