So another EU summit ends inconclusively, with the poor old can again booted down the road.

Apparently we have another new treaty which requires members of the eurozone to set up a legislative ‘debt brake’ and if they don’t adhere to it, as yet undetermined sanctions will be automatically applied.

IMAGINE the IMF occupation force sets a day for leaving Ireland.

AUSTERITY promises by three new governments in Italy, Greece and Spain failed to stem the spreading crisis in the eurozone yesterday, as did promises of a blueprint for a eurobond to be announced tomorrow.

Officials in France are playing down speculation that the concept of "eurobonds" will be discussed at a meeting between the French and German leaders tomorrow.

FIRSTLY, let’s get to the root of the problem that plagues all western democracies, namely the fact that most politicians regard being re-elected as their first priority, resulting in their reluctance to take hard economic decisions.

THE risk of Spain having to follow Greece and Ireland in seeking a bailout from the IMF has fallen considerably, a new report says.

THE EU will sign the loan agreement with Ireland before Christmas and be ready to raise the bailout money in the new year, the head of the European Financial Stability Fund announced following last night’s eurozone finance ministers meeting in Brussels.

THE ESB has purchased Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) for more than £1 billion (€1.2bn).

THE proposed break-up of Aer Rianta has been given a boost with a leading credit ratings agency saying that it does not see the split having a major impact on the company's ability to repay its debt.