Hayes: 'I don't see the Troika as the bogey man'

The junior finance minister has said the Troika's involvement has been a positive thing for Ireland.

Brian Hayes was responding to claims that the Troika is beginning to become too intrusive in Irish politics.

Speaking at the Macgill Summer School in Glenties last night, Minister Hayes said the EU, the ECB and IMF had lent money to Ireland when nobody else would.

He also noted that the Troika had taught us the benefits of financial discipline.

"The kind of discipline that the Troika assessment has imposed across the Irish public sector has been good for Ireland, good for the public sector, good for regaining our international reputation," he said.

"I don't see the Troika as the bogey man quite frankly, I see the Troika as representing the lenders of last resort because no one else would lend to this country."