Coalition denies chance missed to get debt deal

The Government has denied claims it had squandered its own mandate for change by missing an opportunity to secure a significant debt reduction deal for Ireland.

Ashoka Mody, former IMF chief of mission to Ireland, insisted the Coalition should have got a “superior deal” after winning the last election.

He said the parties were elected on a mandate similar to the Greek government — but they had missed a chance to strike a debt deal with international lenders.