Government officials lack skill to negotiate with IMF, says FF TD

Fianna Fáil TD Ned O'Keeffe said last night that Government officials do not have the 'skills, experience or the confidence of the Irish people' to negotiate on our behalf with the ECB and IMF.

He said Ireland must not be "muscled into a debt deal" that has implications for the country for the next 50 years.

It is a view shared by many Opposition politicians, including Independent MEP Marian Harkin, who said Irish people will never afford an interest rate of more than 6% on the EU bailout loan.

"It’ll crucify us," she said. "It isn’t in Europe’s interest, never mind Ireland’s interests to have a rate like that.

"It makes no sense that they would do that to us, because how are we ever going to pay it back? It’s just madness."