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03/03/2011
Merkel Refuses Irish Bailout Renegotiation
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has virtually ruled out lowering the huge interest rate facing Ireland over the bailout conditions.
Speaking to parliamentary leaders in Berlin on Wednesday, Chancellor Merkel, who was one of the architects of the EU and International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout for Ireland, said it was "unlikely" she’d agree to cut interest rates on rescue loans to Ireland and Greece.
According to financial newsgroup Bloomberg, the source of the information has come from anonymous officials that attended the closed-door meeting. The officials said that Ms Merkel also planned to levy a number of extra conditions aimed at keeping pressure on each country to curb spending.
Fine Gael Leader and Taoiseach in waiting, Enda Kenny, targeted a cut the rate on emergency loans during his election campaign and is preparing for talks on Friday with Ms Merkel and European allies in Helsinki.
Mr Kenny and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou both visited Merkel in Berlin last month to canvass support for a cut in the interest rates.
However, speaking on Wednesday night, Ms Merkel stood strong saying: "We can't artificially lower interest rates. They are ultimately an expression of confidence in a country. We can't get to a point where Ireland pays lower interest rates than Portugal."
Mr Kenny is seeking to lower the 5.8% interest rate on aid loans agreed by Fianna Fail during their negotiations with the European Union and the IMF. Mr Kenny also wants to end the protection of senior bank bondholders.
(DW)
Speaking to parliamentary leaders in Berlin on Wednesday, Chancellor Merkel, who was one of the architects of the EU and International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout for Ireland, said it was "unlikely" she’d agree to cut interest rates on rescue loans to Ireland and Greece.
According to financial newsgroup Bloomberg, the source of the information has come from anonymous officials that attended the closed-door meeting. The officials said that Ms Merkel also planned to levy a number of extra conditions aimed at keeping pressure on each country to curb spending.
Fine Gael Leader and Taoiseach in waiting, Enda Kenny, targeted a cut the rate on emergency loans during his election campaign and is preparing for talks on Friday with Ms Merkel and European allies in Helsinki.
Mr Kenny and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou both visited Merkel in Berlin last month to canvass support for a cut in the interest rates.
However, speaking on Wednesday night, Ms Merkel stood strong saying: "We can't artificially lower interest rates. They are ultimately an expression of confidence in a country. We can't get to a point where Ireland pays lower interest rates than Portugal."
Mr Kenny is seeking to lower the 5.8% interest rate on aid loans agreed by Fianna Fail during their negotiations with the European Union and the IMF. Mr Kenny also wants to end the protection of senior bank bondholders.
(DW)
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04 March 2011
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Despite an announcement to the contrary by the German Chancellor on Thursday, Ireland's bailout interest rate is set to decrease. The news comes only a day after Angela Merkel had ruled out lowering the huge interest rate facing Ireland over its international bailout conditions.
IMF Announce Interest Cut For Ireland
Despite an announcement to the contrary by the German Chancellor on Thursday, Ireland's bailout interest rate is set to decrease. The news comes only a day after Angela Merkel had ruled out lowering the huge interest rate facing Ireland over its international bailout conditions.
05 February 2009
Three NI Banks Cut Interest Rates
Most of Northern Ireland's big banks have agreed to adopt the latest UK interest rate cut. First Trust, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank have all brought their base rates into line with the reduction. The Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank both said they were reviewing how the cut would affect standard variable rate products.
Three NI Banks Cut Interest Rates
Most of Northern Ireland's big banks have agreed to adopt the latest UK interest rate cut. First Trust, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank have all brought their base rates into line with the reduction. The Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank both said they were reviewing how the cut would affect standard variable rate products.
10 April 2018
Rate Bills Due To Be Issued To Homes And Businesses
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Rate Bills Due To Be Issued To Homes And Businesses
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02 April 2015
Ratepayers To Receive New Rate Bills
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Homeowners and businesses throughout the new Belfast District Council area are to receive their rate bill for 2015/16 this week. The bill will show the amount due for the new billing period 2015/16, including any debt that may have been carried forward from previous years, along with any rate relief, where applicable.
30 March 2015
Finance Minister Announces New Annual Rate Statement
A new annual rate statement for all domestic rate payers in Northern Ireland has been introduced by the Finance Minister. From April 2015, the annual rate statement will show how households' rate payment contributes to the provision of public services such as health, education and roads, as well as a range of other important regional services.
Finance Minister Announces New Annual Rate Statement
A new annual rate statement for all domestic rate payers in Northern Ireland has been introduced by the Finance Minister. From April 2015, the annual rate statement will show how households' rate payment contributes to the provision of public services such as health, education and roads, as well as a range of other important regional services.
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