Lenihan accuses FG and Labour of 'dishonesty' over bailout claim

The Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has said he will make no apology for claiming the Irish economy had turned a corner during his 2010 budget speech.

Mr Lenihan said criticism of his claim "will not solve Ireland's economic problems".

Addressing a press conference on the economy this morning the Fianna Fáil Minister accused Labour and Fine Gael of "dishonestly" claiming they could renegotiate the terms of the EU/IMF bailout deal.

He also said a Fine Gael policy of increasing VAT by 1% next year will stifle retail growth in the economy.

But answering questions about his own handling of the economy, Minister Lenihan defended his now famous statement in Budget 2010 that the Irish economy had "turned a corner".