# National Debt

Opinion: 'How to spend the country's €65 billion surplus and make people happy'

Dr Mark Henry argues that Ireland’s budget surplus should be invested in the blueprint for national well-being.

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May 30th 2023, 7:00 AM

# Optimistic

Biden 'hopeful' that US national debt deal 'very close'

The deadline for a deal was moved from 1 June to 5 June.

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May 27th 2023, 7:58 AM

All time

# Budget Day

Incomings and outgoings: Here is a very (very) basic guide to the State's finances

How has Covid hit the State coffers so far?

19.1k

Oct 13th 2020, 7:00 AM

Ireland's national debt: 'We are arguably approaching a very serious crisis'

We need to immediately borrow €50 billion to replace the debt that is due to be repaid in the next few years, writes Colm Fitzgerald.

88.5k

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Aug 29th 2017, 6:30 AM

Aaron McKenna: The opposition has missed the chance to expose the banking show trial

This ‘inquiry’ has no credibility whatsoever and a decent opposition would have resigned en masse in protest.

Jun 21st 2014, 9:50 AM

Opinion: Is austerity really a necessity – or do we have a choice?

We’ve been told that we have no choice but to accept austerity measures to get the country back on its feet… but is that really true?

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Jun 20th 2014, 1:00 PM

# Debt Ceiling

Markets wobble as US debt talks falter

Fitch has placed the US credit rating on a Negative Watch, as the stock market fell today.

5.6k

Oct 15th 2013, 9:29 PM

# NTMA

NTMA launches State Savings products

The National Treasury Management Agency has announced new issues of fixed rate State Savings products as well as changes to the interest rates on variable rate products.

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Jun 2nd 2013, 1:20 PM

Column: Irish politics won't change until people demand accountability from leaders

A system of direct democracy would give people a more transparent form of government, writes Raymond Whitehead.

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Jan 20th 2013, 8:15 AM

NTMA in talks with investors on selling new 10-year bonds

The body in charge of Ireland’s borrowing says it’s looking at trying to sell Ireland’s first 10-year bond since 2010.

2.8k

Jan 9th 2013, 2:01 PM

# Austerity

Prize Bond prizes to fall as cost of borrowing goes down

The NTMA, which issues prize bonds, has lowered the rate it uses to calculate the overall number of prizes on offer.

13.7k

Dec 17th 2012, 11:38 AM

# Markets

NTMA chief: It's looking good for 'sustainable' re-entry to markets

However, John Corrigan does warn that “wider uncertainties” in the eurozone could be risk factor to Ireland’s progress.

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Sep 12th 2012, 12:30 PM

# In Numbers

Cannabis, beer and T-bills: the week in stats

How high is Europe’s tallest building? And how many cannabis plants were seized by gardaí last year?

7.2k

Jul 7th 2012, 7:30 PM

Good Morning

The 9 at 9 Nine things to know this morning.

7.4k

Jun 30th 2012, 9:00 AM

# Exchequer

New social charge helps push income tax earnings up by a quarter

Exchequer figures show we’re collectively paying 25 per cent more in income tax since last year.

632

Oct 4th 2011, 5:45 PM

Column: ‘Won’t somebody think of the children?’ Ireland in the 2050s

Worrying about the debt burden on our grandchildren has become a national pastime – but should we be panicking? Economist Ronan Lyons explains.

Sep 9th 2011, 7:45 AM

# Eurozone

Bond yields dive, and Euro up, as markets embrace Brussels deal

The cost of borrowing for Europe’s strugglers is falling this morning, after leaders struck deals on gentler bailouts.

433

Jul 22nd 2011, 10:13 AM

# Junk

European Commission slams "incomprehensible" Moody's downgrade

Jose Manuel Barroso’s spokesman says the Commission can’t understand why Moody’s is taking such a dim view.

597

Jul 13th 2011, 3:10 PM

# Bondwatch

Irish bond prices rocket - again - on 'junk' downgrade

If Ireland borrowed for two years, it would have to pay 18.6 per cent interest – 14 times what Germany would.

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Jul 13th 2011, 10:33 AM

# Greece

Second Greek bailout "roughly equal" to earlier €110bn package, says PM

Greek Prime Minister Papandreou has dismissed calls to default on national debt.

392

Jun 19th 2011, 3:33 PM

Good Morning

The 9 at 9 Nine things to know as you start your Sunday…

1.2k

Jun 19th 2011, 9:08 AM

# Bailout 2?

Noonan: Ireland has enough cash to get to mid-2013 at least

The Minister for Finance insists Ireland has enough bailout funds to get to mid-2013 at worst – but the opposition isn’t sure.

939

Jun 7th 2011, 3:59 PM

# David Drumm

Call to revoke David Drumm's US visa

Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore to hear appeal that the government ask US authorities for help in bringing former CEO of Anglo Irish Bank back to Ireland for questioning.

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May 12th 2011, 2:02 PM

# Exchequer

"So far so good" for exchequer figures, Noonan says

The Minister for Finance says figures being published today will show the economy as being “better than on track”.

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May 4th 2011, 7:45 AM

# Debt

Greek authorities launch investigation into Citigroup email on debt

Email suggested Greece could be forced to restructure its debt as quickly as this weekend.

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Apr 22nd 2011, 3:19 PM

# Bondwatch

Bond prices surge again after Portuguese budget defeat

The costs of borrowing for both Ireland and Portugal take a battering in the aftermath of the latter’s prime minister quitting.

489

Mar 24th 2011, 9:35 AM

# Default Republic?

AIB says payment ‘will be made’ following rumours of default on bond interest repayments

AIB insisted that “payment will be made” after a rumour that Ireland has missed a scheduled interest payment on its bonds sent the price of short-term borrowing spiralling earlier today.

2.5k

Mar 22nd 2011, 5:23 PM

# Bye Bye Brian

In numbers: Brian Cowen's tenure as Taoiseach

As one administration takes power, another steps down – so here’s some condensed figures on the Brian Cowen era.

3.7k

Mar 9th 2011, 6:04 PM

# Bondwatch

Irish bonds break all-time high – just after coalition deal is published

The price of government borrowing was higher yesterday than it was when we accepted the €67.5bn bailout in November.

980

Mar 8th 2011, 8:48 AM

# Eurozone

Bond fund suggests reducing Greek debt burden

Ireland should take note of major bond fund chief’s suggestions for Greece…

967

Feb 6th 2011, 11:54 AM

# Bailout

Ireland 'could return to bond markets' this year

The NTMA says it hopes it can bypass Ireland’s bailout funds – as the cost of serving our debt eats up 15% of the tax take.

400

Jan 7th 2011, 2:49 PM

ECB bought €2.7bn of bonds last week alone

So much for winding down the controversial bond-buying scheme… Frankfurt may have been the only buyer last week.

247

Dec 13th 2010, 3:56 PM

# Bailout

Govt chief whip says bailout deal has to be approved in Brussels

Curran also dismissed Pat Rabbitte’s allegations that the pension reserve fund was used as collateral for banks trading on derivatives.

368

Nov 28th 2010, 1:54 PM

# Failed Bailout?

Bailout fears take their toll: Ireland's bonds hit 9%

Fears over the future of Ireland’s economy, and whether a bailout can be secured, sends borrowing costs to new highs.

479

Nov 25th 2010, 11:38 AM

Bond markets unmoved by €6bn budget package

The cost of Irish borrowing remains largely flat in spite of the government’s Budget announcements.

154

Nov 5th 2010, 2:59 PM

Irish-German bond spread surges past 5%

The price of government borrowing for Ireland is now over three times higher than it is for Germany.

329

Nov 3rd 2010, 5:12 PM

7.4% - investors fall away as government default fears continue

Up, and up, and up…

169

Nov 3rd 2010, 10:19 AM

Insuring against Irish default costs more now than ever before

Bad sign: purchasing insurance against an Irish bond default is more expensive today than it has ever been.

180

Nov 2nd 2010, 12:40 PM

Ireland has "a month to stop bailout" - UCD economist

First Colm McCarthy, now Karl Whelan says the movements in bond markets leave Ireland on the brink of default.

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Nov 2nd 2010, 9:34 AM