Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Michael Noonan Photocall Ireland

Ireland will 'probably fail' to get bank debt deal by October - Bloomberg

The Department of Finance has said that the forthcoming meetings between European leaders are important to meet the end of October deadline the government has set but it isn’t looking good.

IRELAND WILL FAIL to get a deal to reduce the burden of its bank debt by the end of October, according to the financial news agency Bloomberg.

It cited two sources yesterday in saying that details of any potential deal are unlikely to be on the agenda when EU finance ministers meet in Cyprus next week meaning it is unlikely a deal can be reached before the 31 October deadline that was set in June.

The government is looking to reduce the burden of the €64 billion in banking debt that it took on when the State bailed out the banks following an agreement in June which allowed for Spain’s banks to be bailed out directly by eurozone bailout fund.

It is hoped that this deal can retrospectively be applied to a portion of Ireland’s overall government debt which includes the debts of the banks that it took over during the financial crisis with Taoiseach Enda Kenny describing the June agreement as a “seismic shift” in eurozone policy.

While it appeared as if a target had been set to get a deal before the end of October this is now looking unlikely, Bloomberg says, with finance ministers meeting in Cyprus next week to focus primarily on Spain’s cost of borrowing.

A Department of Finance spokesperson said that the forthcoming set of meetings between eurozone leaders was important in the process of meeting the October timeline while not specifically commenting on the Bloomberg report.

He said: “Work at official and ministerial level is continuing to enhance our programme in line with June 29 summit agreement.

“Upcoming Eurogroup meetings in the autumn are very important as we seek to meet the timeline of October set by [EU Economic and Monetary Affairs] Commissioner [Olli] Rehn.”

Finance Minister Michael Noonan will meet with a number of eurozone finance ministers next week in a bid to gain support for a deal on Ireland’s banking debt.

Meetings with his French, German and Italian counterparts are all planned before Noonan travels to Cyprus where European finance ministers will all meet on Friday.

This week the stockbrokers Goodbody outlined a number of possible scenarios for a deal on Ireland’s banking debt including the lengthening of repayment deadlines for the borrowings that were used to shore up the former Anglo Irish Bank which has cost the State some €30 billion.

Explainer: What did the EU leaders agree in June?

9 videos that sum-up Ireland’s banking and economic collapse

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Hugh O'Connell
View 56 comments
Close
56 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds