O'Connor: EU must give Ireland space to sort out finances

The President of SIPTU Jack O'Connor has said Ireland needs some space from the EU to sort out its finances.

Mr O'Connor made the comments as the European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn begins a two-day visit to Ireland today.

He will meet with the Finance Minister Brian Lenihan later to discuss Ireland's deficit reduction plan before meeting with the Opposition, Central Bank and the Social Partners tomorrow.

Mr O'Connor said: "Cutting too deeply too quickly is bad news for both Ireland and Europe."