EU mission chief proposes phasing out payments to long-term unemployed

The Irish National Organistion for the Unemployed has described as "utter rubbish" suggestions made by the European Commission mission chief to Ireland that the phasing out of social welfare payments for the long-term unemployed should be introduced.

Istvan Szekely is reported to be in discussions with the Social Protection Minister Joan Burton on ways to cut social welfare, as part of the EU/IMF bailout deal.