Problems are with the Irish banks, not Government – Rehn

Speaking ahead of today’s vital meeting of Ecofin, the eurozone’s 16 finance ministers, Olli Rehn has said that Ireland is working with the EU, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank to solve the country’s banking crisis.

He said although the two were connected the “real problems are in the banking sector” and not with the Irish government.

The EU commissioner added, “We have a very strong focus on the banking sector.”

Earlier today, EU Council President Herman Von Rompuy said all EU countries needed to work together and not put national interests first.

Many interpreted this as further pressure on Ireland to accept a bailout from the European Financial Stability Fund.

He said, “We all have to work together to survive, with the eurozone, because if we don’t survive with the eurozone, we will not survive with the European Union.”