Van Rompuy gives hope to Irish on bank debt deal

Irish hopes of securing a crucial bank debt deal were boosted by European Council president Herman Van Rompuy — though he admitted he had no influence over the matter.

Mr Van Rompuy pointedly referred to the contentious issue of a “writedown” breakthrough concerning the €64bn that Irish taxpayers bailed out the country’s banks with as he met Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Mr Van Rompuy’s intervention was seen as a morale booster for the Coalition as he directly referred to an outline initiative agreed by European leaders last June.