Kenny dismisses criticism of failure to secure rate cut

ENDA KENNY brushed off criticism of his failure to meet the French president over Ireland’s bailout costs, inquiring whether he should just ring up the Élysée Palace and say ‘I’m here’.

The Taoiseach’s challenge over failing to meet Nicolas Sarkozy came as the opposition called for a diplomatic offensive on Ireland’s EU loans at today’s EU leaders summit.

Fianna Fáil attacked EU institutions and called on leaders, including Mr Kenny, meeting in Brussels to stop talking and start acting on the euro crisis.