The EU raised €3bn for Ireland with very strong investor demand, while the IMF has approved its latest disbursement of €3.2bn under the bailout programme.

Ireland’s decision to hold a referendum was greeted with disbelief and dread in the EU among politicians and public servants, with the greatest fear being that it will open a Pandora’s box of other countries seeking a vote also.

A damning report on the fiscal treaty and its new rules intended to have eurozone countries run close to balanced budgets has been released by Davy Stockbrokers.

Just over half of Traveller children make it to post-primary schooling, according to a detailed report on Travellers and Roma in the EU.

Rehn bares all in the sauna

Ireland is a source of inspiration for Italy in the way it is handling the crisis and returning to growth, Italian prime minister Mario Monti told Enda Kenny following a meeting in Rome.

Ireland could be facing even deeper cuts in next year’s budget, with continuing job loses and falling domestic demand threatening the country’s fragile recovery.

It’s been billed as the sale of the century — the sales of state assets from Ireland, Greece and Portugal, the three countries being bailed out by the EU and IMF to raise up to €58 billion in total to pay off creditors.

A French and German paper to convince the EU to harmonise corporate tax rates met with stiff opposition from a number of countries, including Austria that described it as a “missile”.

The Greek deal will make its debts a priority but it has lost the trust of the EU leadership and its fellow member states, writes Europe Correspondent Ann Cahill