HERE IS THEJOURNAL.IE’s comprehensive guide to what’s happening in the political world this morning.

Everyone’s talking about…

The Lenihan-Trichet letter: we finally know its contents.

Jean-Claude Trichet AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The Irish Times has published the much-discussed 2010 letter from former European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet to then-Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.

The letter, sent on 19 November of that year, says that the ECB would only continue to fund Ireland if they received “in writing a commitment” that Ireland would apply for a bailout.

It was sent just a day after Irish Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan went on Morning Ireland to say the country had no choice but to apply for a bailout. Trichet has in the past said that he will not appear before the upcoming banking inquiry, but the letter’s release is welcome news for the Oireachtas committee overseeing it.

The agenda

• As the Irish Water row rumbles on, the Economic Management Council – comprising the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Finance and Public Expenditure Ministers – will meet to discuss the issue today. Environment Minister Alan Kelly and Communications Minister Alex White are also set to attend the meeting.
• Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Joan Burton and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton will be publishing the latest update on the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs at 9.15am.
• Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin will be in the Dáil to answer questions related to his department at 9.30am.
• Tánaiste Joan Burton will be fielding Leaders’ Questions at 12pm. Her comments on water charges are likely to be brought up.
• Officials from the HSE and Department of Health will appear before the Public Accounts Committee at 10am to discuss elective day surgery.
• The Government will also announce details of its Symphysiotomy redress scheme today.

What the others are saying…

• The Irish Independent is leading with a story that the Coalition will attempt to appease public anger over water charges by giving a €100 social welfare payment to every household who registers for water charges.
• Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin warned Enda Kenny that the Government may not have the support of backbenchers in the future unless he starts listening to their views, according to the Irish Times.
• Former Education Minister Ruairi Quinn encouraged his special adviser John Walshe to write about his time in the Department “to help the understanding of democracy”, according to the Irish Independent. Walshe has just written a book on the subject.

In case you missed it…

• The confusion sparked by Joan Burton’s comments on water charges rumbles on.
• One TD is “very close” to leaving Fine Gael over the Irish Water debacle. 
• The Seanad was suspended after a Senator refused to withdraw remarks about former Environment Minister Phil Hogan.
• Health Minister Leo Varadkar announced his plans to help deal with increasing premiums for private health insurance. 
• Bono gave Enda Kanny a gift.

On the Twitter machine…

Speculation Minister Bruton is set to feature on the next U2 album has yet to be confirmed.

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