Taoiseach: Decision of EU governments on bailout fund 'will be implemented'

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is adamant a deal on Ireland's bank debt will be implemented despite an apparent u-turn by finance ministers of three of the most powerful European countries.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is adamant that a deal on Ireland's bank debt will be implemented despite an apparent u-turn by the finance ministers of three of the most powerful European countries.

Ministers from Germany, Finland and The Netherlands issued a statement last night saying the European Stability Mechanism should not apply to legacy debt.

That would prevent Ireland accessing the bailout fund for the billions of euro to bail out Anglo Irish Bank and other Irish banks.

However, Deputy Kenny told the Dáil today that the decisions reached by European leaders last June stands over anything said by Finance Ministers now.

"Those two decisions stand," he said. "Those two decisions will be implemented.

"They are the decisions, without any equivocation, of the heads of government of the meeting of the 29th of June.

"During the course of any negotiations, as you're well aware, statements can be made from different perspectives."