Finnish voters dealt a blow to Europe’s plans to rescue Portugal and other debt-ridden economies, ousting the pro-bailout government and giving a major boost to a Eurosceptic nationalist party.

A nationalist party that rejects bail-outs for Portugal and other debt-ridden eurozone members is expected to make strong gains in Finland's election today but remains unlikely to join the next government, according to a series of recent polls.

Ireland can use Finland as a role model to recover from recession and the banking crisis, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said tonight.

The use of innovation as an engine for growth and jobs was the focus of bilateral talks between Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his Finnish counterpart today.