Ireland will get deal on debt, says Hollande

Ireland could see all or part of its bank debt refinanced by the EU’s bailout fund, cutting the cost of the debt, next year according to the French president.

Enda Kenny won a powerful ally in Paris with François Hollande going further than German Chancellor Angela Merkel in assuring him that Irish taxpayers could expect some relief.

The two spent more than 30 minutes together with just an interpreter — double the normal time for such an event — and another 20 minutes meeting together with their advisers.