We have second-best EU debt track record

EVEN as news about the economy deteriorates, the National Treasury Management Agency announced yesterday Ireland still has the second-best borrowing track record among the 15 EU member states.

That did not stop Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy, however, from warning of a tough Budget for next year.

He told journalists at the launch of NTMA’s annual report for last year that all of his Budgets have been tough.