Economy in crisis - Realism and courage are needed now

IT is not coincidental that, over the last two days, Taoiseach Brian Cowen and three senior ministers outlined the threat posed to our independence by borrowing more than €400 million a week.

The Lisbon victory and the Green Party vote supporting the coalition have offered a degree of stability that, thankfully, facilitates straight talking.

We can expect these comments to be repeatedly endorsed before the December 9 budget.