Despite cheap money, families remain homeless

The European Commission, still sensing the Brexit tremors beneath its feet, this week ignored its own regulations and chose not to fine Portugal and Spain for failure to comply with fiscal limits.

Madrid and Lisbon have made big inroads into reducing their budget deficits — but they still missed the official targets.

Like a canny referee on All-Ireland final day, the EU’s executive arm knows an over-zealous application of the rule book at this stage of the game could lead to rancour in the stands and criticism in the commentary box.