International Monetary Fund. An international organisation of 187 member states. Its aims are to stabilise exchange rates and assisting economic development through the liberalising of econnomic policies.
Austerity has not worked in Ireland or across the eurozone, writes Joan Collins, who points out that even the architects of our bailout admit it was the wrong path.
A former IMF head of the mission for Ireland has said an entire reliance on austerity was not the right move – yet we’re still following that road. David Cronin asks why.
Elmar Brok, the chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has admitted he can foresee a situation where Cyprus could exit the single currency and said that authorities underestimated the current situation there.
MPs voted in favour of a national solidarity fund meaning the nationalisation of public and private sector pensions and of capital controls to prevent a run on banks.
Deposits in Cypriot banks will be hit with a one-off levy of 6.75 per cent with those with over €100,000 in banks hit with a 9.9 per cent levy under the €10 billion bailout proposal.
The detail of extended loan repayments on the EU portion of Ireland’s bailout is still to be worked out but could save the State significant amounts of money in the coming years.
A New York court will today influence the economic future of Argentina in a case that will have wide-ranging ramifications for other indebted nations, writes Nessa Ní Chasaide.
The Irish Timber Council, representing the country’s sawmills, says that the entire industry is at risk from the proposed sell-off of harvesting rights on Coillte forests.
While the troika was happy with the continued implementation of the bailout programme, it warned that “unemployment remains stubbornly high” and turning into a long-term condition.
FRANCE HAS BECOME the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage after President Francois Hollande signed the measure into law today following months of bitter political debate.
In Ireland last month, 79 per cent of delegates at the Constitutional Convention voted in favour of same-sex marriage but the Government will hold off on a referendum until next year despite the overwhelming support.
It comes two years after the legalisation of Civil Partnership.
Is another year too long for a referendum on gay marriage? Or, are you opposed to the idea entirely?
So today, we want to know what do you think. Would you welcome the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Ireland today, similar to France?
Warmer with clouds and sun
Max: 17 °C
Min: 8 °C
Clouds and sun with a passing shower
Max: 17 °C
Min: 8 °C
