Cowen insists state sovereignty secure

THERE is “no question of a loss of sovereignty” for the country, according to the Taoiseach, who said Irish people should not feel “ashamed or humiliated” as talks got under way over a possible massive loan for the banks.

As a team from the IMF, EU and ECB arrived for discussions on a financial rescue package, Brian Cowen stuck to the line that Ireland has still not looked for any outside help.

And he dismissed suggestions that he should now resign, having brought the country to its current condition, insisting his Government has taken the right policy decisions all along.