The finance minister puts on his helmet, still sporting his characteristic grin, as crowds try to get close enough to take selfies.

Crisis talks between Greece and its creditors have resumed in Brussels, in a last-minute effort to prevent a default.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has hit out at the IMF's former mission chief for Ireland, who suggested we could have had a better deal on our debt burden.

My grandfather used to say ‘There are no pockets in a shroud’, writes Paul Mills.

We possibly forgot the Government was only still in its initiation stage when the Troika took charge, making our leaders their stooges and bidding them act accordingly.

The Government’s actions contradict the coalition parties’ pronouncements in the run-up to the 2011 general election. That is why it was possible to get tens of thousands of people out on the streets of Dublin yesterday, a freezing Wednesday afternoon, argues Victoria White.

It is claimed today that Troika inspectors were told to "butt out" of Irish politics by officials during their latest visit.

There is still some doubt over whether house-buyers will need to have a 20% deposit saved before they can get a mortgage, according to Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Saying the troika made them do it just won’t wash — this may yet become Kenny’s Waterloo, writes Michael Clifford

Simon O’Connor is just another in the long list of commentators who says the Irish people are paying twice over for water ( Letters, October 28).

The NTMA has said it may raise extra funds — via a syndicated bond issuance — to facilitate the start of an early repayment of Ireland’s IMF loans before the end of the year.

Ruairi Quinn railed against Church patrons and inequality in education. But his follow-through often seemed ineffective as he got tangled up in his desire to appear ‘responsible’, writes Conor Ryan

Though not a Labour supporter, I take my hat off to Eamon Gilmore. He and the Labour Party have followed a quiet, but determined, ‘Tallaght strategy’ in Government over the last three years, putting the interests of country first and the interests of party second.

As the actor’s family prepares to scatter his ashes in Connemara, Paul D’Alton on his colourful childhood with the O’Tooles

LADS, for the love of God, is there any chance at all that you might come back to us? We’ve been on our own now for a week, and things have been going steadily downhill.

AS Ireland blinks at the unfamiliar sunlight of financial freedom after three years banged-up in economic hard labour by the troika, it knows it may have exited the bailout, but is really only out on bail.

The Minister for Finance said Ireland will still have to impose tough austerity measures, even though the Troika are leaving.

The Minister for Jobs believes Irish people did not take to the streets to protest austerity in large numbers because they had an opportunity to vote on the Government instead.

Brace yourselves for an orgy of self-congratulation from Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Finance Minister Michael Noonan, and company, when the Troika ‘leaves’ next week, despite the departure being illusory.

Health Minister James Reilly has said the health service has “turned a corner” — despite getting a bailout of €199m for overspending this year.

Reilly spies new source of health funding

Wonder of wonders, Fergus Finlay is acclaiming the departure of the Troika as an achievement of Government, and wonder of wonders, he blames Fianna Fáil for all our economic woes, and, oddly enough, I disagree with him — not on his broad assessments, but on the subtle context in which he places his political prejudices.

The ECB programme team who worked with Ireland on its bailout has congratulated the government.

The decision not to seek a special overdraft facility was finalised at an emergency cabinet meeting today ahead of Finance Minister Michael Noonan flying out to a summit in Brussels.

Karma seems to be the buzz word as politicians’ pasts come back to haunt them.

It could take up to one year to agree a solution for the tracker mortgage problem crippling the Irish banking system, according to people familiar with the situation.

I refer to your article ‘Troika chief: Pharmaceutical drug costs cannot be justified,’ of Nov 1, in which it was stated that “the costs of pharmaceutical drugs in Ireland were three times more than your nearest neighbour”.

HAS it been three years since they arrived first, since they sailed up the Liffey in their fast and nimble longships, the oars glinting in the autumn sun?

The Troika has told Government backbenchers it is optimistic about Ireland’s post-bailout future.

Ireland is in a strong position to exit the bailout programme next month according to economics commissioner Olli Rehn.

Brendan Howlin has claimed that the Budget is the last under the Troika and is designed to minimise the hurt for households.

Irish and EU officials yesterday held intense talks in Brussels on the Government’s draft budget ahead of today’s Cabinet meeting.

The Ombudsman says the Government needs to stop hiding behind the Troika in the decisions they are making to cut public spending.

Leader of the Labour party, Eamon Gilmore, said he still holds aspirations to be Taoiseach.

The junior finance minister has said the Troika's involvement has been a positive thing for Ireland.

Reductions in the budget deficit may be used to fund the building of ready-made facilities such as factories and offices in a bid to lure large-scale foreign companies to Ireland and boost employment.

If Brian O’Driscoll had a euro for every time his try against Australia in Brisbane 12 years ago has been replayed, discussed or even mentioned in passing, Ireland may have been better placed going to him for a bailout than the Troika.

Ministers have told the troika about how they will let banks off the leash to repossess homes and harass families mired in mortgage debt misery with increased “cold contacts”.

Welcome to Ireland, Troika; your presence is not always wanted, but, it has to be admitted, that you do bring a dash of reality to public figures who have unrealistic expectations.

Minister for Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has said any possible easing of austerity measures is going to be a roundtable discussion.

MARGARET Thatcher did not ‘lie in state’, but she left us with the parting shot that the Irish State lies.

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has said it is critical that the promissory note deal gives Ireland some leeway to get people back to work.