Despite yesterday's controversy surrounding Taoiseach Enda Kenny's comments on who is to blame for the state of the economy, the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said it has been a "good week" for Ireland.

Brian Lenihan has been rated worst of 19 European finance ministers in the Financial Times' annual ranking of Europe's economic stewards.

Shares in the three UK banks being bailed out by the British government rose today amid reports of pressure for the £37bn (€47.51bn) plan to be reworked.

Share prices were higher in choppy trade as defensive buying in the pharmaceutical sector, gains among technology stocks and tobacco companies helped offset a weak retail sector after Sears issued a third-quarter profit warning, dealers said.

UK blue chips stayed weak around midday but held off their early morning lows, supported by hopes of a recovery on Wall Street today following a savaging over the past few sessions, although much will depend on February U.S. retail sales data due at 1.30 pm, dealers said.