Commission ‘did not push or threaten Ireland into bailout’

A senior European Commission official has denied the commission, as member of the Troika, tried to “manoeuvre, push or threaten” Ireland to accept the November 2010 bailout, despite arguing the controversial move was “inevitable”.

The commission’s economic and financial affairs director genera, Marco Buti, insisted at the baking inquiry that he and other officials never acted inappropriately.

Speaking at the inquiry’s final day of public hearings, Mr Buti — in his position since 2008 — insisted the EC never forced Ireland to sign up to the 2010 bailout.