Lenihan's 'Euro tour' bid to restore economic confidence

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan will continue his ’hard-sell’ of Ireland’s economy next week with visits to EU financial capitals of Frankfurt, Milan and Amsterdam.

Mr Lenihan was in Paris on Thursday and is in London today and tomorrow for talks with investors and business leaders.

The minister is accompanied on the trips by officials from the National Management Treasury Agency who will be promoting the sale of Irish Government bonds.

Today Mr Lenihan is chairing a meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London’s financial district.

A spokesman said: “Mr Lenihan will visit Frankfurt and Milan on Tuesday before travelling on to Amsterdam on Wednesday morning.

“The minister will be outlining the Irish Government’s comprehensive plans to restructure and regulate the banking system and stabilise the public finances.

“These meetings are aimed at restoring the confidence of prospective investors and foreign lenders in the Irish economy.”

Briefings with local business media will also be on the itinerary as well as talks with Irish diplomats.

Mr Lenihan will return to Dublin on Wednesday evening.

He is delivering on a promise he made in last month’s emergency Budget to visit EU financial capitals to promote the Irish economy.

He told the Dáil he believed recent banking scandals had sullied Ireland’s good name and investors may think twice about doing business here.

“These visits will give me the opportunity to communicate more effectively with foreign investors about our plan for renewal,” he told the Dáil on April 7.

Mr Lenihan also met with financial investors and business leaders in London during the St Patrick’s Day holiday in March.