Ireland has turned the corner, says Barroso as he receives honourary doctorate

Ireland has turned the corner on the economic crisis and is playing a key role in EU-wide recovery, European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso declared last night.

In a dramatic departure from his stinging critique last December of Ireland’s economic collapse and its damaging effects on the eurozone, the outgoing president praised Irish resilience and said the country has been to the forefront in supporting structural reforms to assist vulnerable EU states emerge from recession.

“I admire and respect the courage and resilience of the Irish people.