Kenny: Interest rate decision 'not a climbdown'

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted yesterday's announcement that Ireland would no longer look for a reduction in its interest rate, as part of this month's EU summit, is not a climb down or a failure.

Mr Kenny said the information due at the end of March regarding stress tests is of vital importance in tackling the Irish debt problem and he has decided to engage on the Irish issue with the full knowledge of the situation.