Readers like you keep news free for everyone.
More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.
For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.
# EU2013
Enda Kenny: Anglo Tapes are a thunderbolt
They have also damaged Ireland’s reputation, according to the Taoiseach.
THE TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny says he agrees with German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s opinions on the revelations of the so-called Anglo Tapes this week.
Speaking at a press briefing to mark the end of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the EU in Brussels, he described the recordings as “a thunderbolt”.
They show the “contempt, arrogance and insolence” of senior executives at the failed institution towards government, citizens, according to Kenny.
“They shine a bright light of the vulgarity of what went on there. Which is a direct contradiction to…the critical and aesthetic language around the time of the bailout.”
Just minutes after receiving high praise from European Commission president José Manuel Barroso for the country’s presidency, Kenny conceded that the fresh scandal had damaged Ireland’s reputation.
However, he said every political leader understands the tapes concern a “time in the past”.
He added that Ireland now needs to examine the culture of the ‘Tiger Years’ that led to the “toxic nexus between the banking world and senior government personnel”.
The conference was held to mark the final day of Ireland’s six-month presidency. Kenny paid tribute to the public servants who worked over the past half-year to “move files across the line”.
Barroso described the presidency as “very focussed”, adding that it had achieved “impressive results” citing the MMF, CAP, fisheries, banking union and US trade deals. He paid tribute to the Taoiseach and his “highly-competent team”.
At the outset, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said today was a historic moment for Europe as an agreement had been reached with Serbia to begin accession negotiations.
Photo: Newlyweds take photos at Anglo protest
Angela Merkel: I regard the Anglo Tapes with contempt
Seán Quinn: ‘I’ve apologised to my children for my fundamental mistake’
