Unrepentant Cowen refuses vote on deal

BRIAN COWEN last night insisted he was not “ashamed” by the terms of the €85bn EU/IMF bailout, but refused to put the momentous deal to a Dáil vote.

Opposition leaders rounded on the Taoiseach for “selling out” the country by negotiating a “lousy” surrender during angry exchanges.

The country had been “destroyed” behind closed doors during the IMF talks, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny insisted as he claimed the Taoiseach lost his grip and allowed unelected civil servants to decide the outline of the rescue package.