Berlin reviews Dublin’s problems first

Published on 1 March 2012 at 12:06

Cover

“Commission report on Irish economy revealed to Bundestag,” headlines the Irish Times, after it emerged that sensitive information concerning the Irish economy has circulated in the German parliament before being made public in Ireland itself. The European Commission document warns that a global economic slowdown in 2012 could lead to further “fiscal tightening” in Ireland and see next year’s planned return to financial markets “evaporate”. It also demands “a revised asset sale programme after dismissing the Government’s original plan as ‘not sufficiently ambitious,’” the Dublin daily notes.

This is the second time a European Commission report about the Irish economy has been released to the Bundestag, raising fears that Ireland’s economic sovereignity has all but vanished following the €85 billion EU/ECB/IMF bailout of 2010. It follows the disclosure last November of the national budget in advance of a formal announcement on the part of the Irish government. The Irish Times notes that the leak –

… came at an awkward moment a day after the decision to hold a referendum on the European Stability Treaty.

Receive the best of European journalism straight to your inbox every Thursday

Tags

Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!

It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.

Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!

Are you a news organisation, a business, an association or a foundation? Check out our bespoke editorial and translation services.

Support independent European journalism

European democracy needs independent media. Join our community!

On the same topic