TALK about a second programme or bailout for Ireland is not helpful, the European Commission has said following media speculation about the issue.

The European Commission has said it regrets embarrassing leaks from the Government’s budget plans to save €3.8bn.

A spokesman for Economic Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn has said the aim of the EU-IMF bailout was to stabilise the euro as much as to support the Irish economy.

ANYONE who heard Amadeu Altafaj Tardio, spokesman for the EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, speaking on RTÉ radio yesterday morning got a glimpse of what our future might be like if we are not realistic about our public funding crisis.

The European Union today said it planned to provide further emergency aid beyond the €3.6m it had already committed for the victims of the huge earthquake that struck southern Asia over the weekend.