Ireland must be ‘assertive’ on bank debt

The Government must take a more “assertive approach” to reducing bank-related debt, according to Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin.

He said it had been “foolish” to leave the issue off the agenda at EU meetings.

He accused the Cabinet of engaging in “empty posturing” after one minister told yesterday’s Irish Examiner that a referendum on the fiscal compact treaty “puts it up to Brussels” to grant Ireland a cheaper deal on the Anglo bailout.