Kenny accused of telling a ‘porkie’

Independent TD Shane Ross accused Enda Kenny of peddling a “porkie” in the US about the growth rate of the economy in Ireland.

His accusation came as Joan Burton, the social protection minister, said Ireland would seek an orderly exit from its bailout amid claims the country may need a second one.

Mr Ross said Government claims the economy would expand by 1.3% this year, as forecast in the budget, were untrue. The troika have halved this prediction. However, Mr Ross suggested the Taoiseach was selling this “Irish story” while on a visit to the US this week.

“Are we going to allow him to peddle that porkie in the United States when he is selling the Irish story?” he asked colleagues in the Dáil.

Ms Burton, taking questions, told the Dáil Ireland had regained “a certain level of reputation” and was on target to move away from foreign loans, with a view to seeking private borrowing.

“When the agreement with the troika comes to an end, the Government will, as with all such agreements, seek an orderly exit from it. However, that depends on us being able to interact with the market.”

She defended the investment trip to the US by Mr Kenny and other ministers this week where they met former US president Bill Clinton. She also defended the recent sale of Irish bonds on international markets, the first since 2010, which saw just over €3.5bn worth of debt sold.