Merkel doesn’t rule out legacy bank debt deal

German chancellor Angela Merkel did not rule out Ireland getting money back for bailing out its banks when she held a joint press conference with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in government buildings.

Earlier, she had listened to a speech by U2 singer Bono who insisted the “Irish people bailed out the Irish people” having been bullied, and that the recovery had come about despite the troika rather than for them.

Germany has consistently fought against EU rescue funds being used to retroactively fund Ireland for its massive bank bailout, but Ms Merkel said she wanted to pay her respects to the Irish people for “embarking on the very difficult course”, and succeeding.