Barroso to praise people of Ireland for courage, sacrifice during bailout

Outgoing European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will tonight praise the people of Ireland for their courage, resilience and sacrifice during the bailout programme.

He will defend the austerity agenda, insisting he has always been a friend to Ireland and he will congratulate the nation on exiting the bailout, telling us that with a determined effort across society and politics, we have shown Europe that it can be done.