Siptu leader Jack O’Connor has launched a scathing attack on the troika, calling its members “bagmen for the big European banks”.

Nama has reported a net profit of €222.4m for the first half of this year, an increase of 6.5% on the same period last year.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has hit out at opposition claims that Spain’s bank bailout is far more generous than the one Ireland is saddled with.

Struggling families in danger of being dragged under by the debt crisis have been warned they may not get extra help this year.

The Government should delay making further scheduled bailout payments to the former Anglo Irish Bank for as long as possible, a number of leading economists said yesterday.

Like many readers I can recall from my early youth a children’s fairy tale which featured a character called Chicken Licken.

MICHAEL NOONAN is facing a political “foot in mouth” storm after claiming that “lifestyle choices” were behind Ireland’s emigration crisis.

EU and IMF lenders are working on an alternative to reduce the costs for Ireland of the €47 billion bailout bill for Anglo Irish Bank.

MINISTERS denied there was a split in the Government over the need for a second bailout as Joan Burton insisted she had not gone “rogue” on the issue.

Sinn Féin has raised the prospect of a second bailout after a meeting with the EU/IMF/ECB troika.

IRELAND should move to negotiate a second bailout agreement with the EU and IMF, one of Europe’s leading economists has advised.

IRELAND’S bid to get a better deal on its bank bailout debts will be raised with the EU/IMF/ECB troika that rules on Irish financial policy.

TAXPAYERS and shareholders lost more than €127 billion in Irish banks in little more than two years and, at best, the state can hope to get back €30bn.

RETAILERS have called on the Government to improve consumer confidence in the forthcoming budget.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has indicated that the EU/IMF/ECB toika has agreed that income tax and social welfare rates will not be cut in up-coming Budget.

IRELAND should be striving to “over-perform” in its efforts to meet its annual recovery targets and should try to reduce its budget deficit ahead of schedule, the OECD said yesterday.

RAISING income taxes will only drive more people into the black economy rather than raising Government revenues, claims Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.

Intrinsic share values of state companies have been systematically pillaged by management and employees.

IRELAND is on track to meet its obligations for the third review by EU and IMF lenders next month as part of the bailout agreement, according to Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney is upbeat about the progress being made on the ambitious production goals in the Food Harvest 2020 report. He talks to Joe Dermody

Officials from the EU/IMF/ECB Troika have issued a statement praising Ireland for remaining "on track" with its recovery programme.

Ireland has met all targets in the latest assessment of the bailout programme, it has been revealed.

Officials from the EU/IMF/ECB Troika will later today give their latest verdict on Ireland's efforts to meet the terms of our bailout deal.

THE EU/IMF/ECB troika has been told that a revised “memorandum of understanding” is needed in the economic bailout to offer protection to the poor while attempting to achieve growth and financial stability.

THE Tánaiste has confirmed the Government will hold talks with the European Central Bank in the autumn about inflicting losses on senior bondholders at Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide.

THE leadership of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has warned that “in the face of austerity heaped on austerity”, the time may be approaching when it will advocate a default on the country’s debt to its 600,000 members.

EFFORTS to ensure Ireland is not forced to increase its corporation tax rate took a significant step forward at the weekend.

UP to €15 billion from the National Pensions Reserve Fund, set aside when the Celtic Tiger was still roaring, is likely to be used to recapitalise three of the country’s banks.

THE plan to cut the minimum wage by €1 was demanded by the European Commission and the Government could not say no, Environment Minister John Gormley has admitted.