'No way' separate IMF funding is available to Ireland, says economist

A European economist has said there is "no way" the IMF would fund Ireland separately from the arrangements that are in place with the troika.

Megan Greene was responding to speculation that Ireland could apply for funding from the IMF if it rejects the Fiscal Compact treaty at the end of this month.

Voters go to the polls three weeks from today, on May 31.

Director of European Economics at the Roubini Institute Megan Greene said: "As much as (all parties) would love to have a success story in Ireland, if Ireland were to just blatantly reject the Fiscal Compact, I don’t think they would get access to the ESM (European Stability Mechanism).

"There's an argument then that Ireland can just borrow from the IMF. I went to the IMF (and) asked a number of officials about it. There's no way the IMF will break ranks with its troika partners and fund Ireland on the side."