Independent TDs urge referendum over bailout

IRISH people should be able to voice their outrage at the IMF-EU bailout deal via a national referendum, an alliance of opposition TDs from left and right demanded.

United Left Alliance TD Richard Boyd Barrett insisted such a move would force Brussels to give the country a better deal.

Mr Boyd Barrett insisted the Fine Gael-Labour government had “sold-out” on its pre-election calls for senior bondholders to be “burned” in a new deal on recapitalising banks, and holding a referendum was the only way to restore “spine” to out position.