Gilmore: Keep treaty change and debt separate

A REFERENDUM on a new EU budget plan should be kept separate from any deals on reducing Ireland’s debt burden, according to Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

The Labour leader’s position puts him at odds with that of Fine Gael junior finance minister, Brian Hayes, who said at the weekend that a yes vote would be easier if the EU authorities cut Ireland a better deal on repaying the bailout loan.

The Government is in talks with the IMF and EU institutions about reducing the debt burden from the bank bailout and state borrowing.