Former IMF director believes IMF funds 'unlikely' if treaty rejected

Speculation continues this morning after weekend reports suggested that Ireland could continue to access emergency international funding if we voted 'No' to the Fiscal Treaty.

An article in The Sunday Times yesterday quoted IMF sources as saying Ireland could always apply to its fund for a loan.

However, insiders say the IMF has paid out a huge amount of money to Europe and will be worried about getting that back, making them unlikely to lend more to Ireland in a case where Europe refuses to do so.

Donal Donovan, a former deputy director of the IMF and adjunct professor University of Limerick, thinks IMF assistance would be unlikely.

However, the Sunday Times journalist who wrote the story has said he stands over his work.

Mark Paul has pointed out that the IMF has not disputed the accuracy of the quotes in the article.