OUT OF OUR DEPTH

At this stage, we are looking at when Ireland defaults on its debt, not if. Europe seems to be afraid of acknowledging this fact, so we have a choice — put off the inevitable with talk of reducing debt interest or come clean and seek to radically restructure the debt, writes Caroline O’Doherty

SILVIO Berlusconi’s sordid sex life may have outraged women in his own country but perhaps it is Irish mortgage holders who should be most miffed.

The Italian prime minister’s antics have kept international attention away from more mundane matters — like the perilous state of his country’s economy.