Ireland pressed for deeper austerity

Article reports that Enda Kenny, Ireland’s new Prime Minister, received a rough welcome to the European stage on the 11 March 2011, with both his French and German counterparts pushing him to impose additional austerity before they would consider lowering interest rates on Dublin’s €85bn bail-out. Taoiseach Enda Kenny refused to dilute Ireland’s corporate tax regime - one of the key contentious points.

EUObserver, 11.3.11: Sarkozy and Kenny draw swords as eurozone agrees pact http://euobserver.com/9/31977

ESO: Background information: The EU must rethink Ireland’s deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-eu-must-rethink-irelands-deal/

Irish Times, 12.3.11: Kenny defends corporate tax http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0312/breaking6.html

EurActiv, 16.3.11: EU corporate tax plan deals blow to Irish http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/eu-corporate-tax-plan-deals-blow-news-503158

---