Ireland must have access to funds at reasonable rates: Burton

on 27/10/2012 15:04:22

Ireland must be able to access funding at a reasonable price if it is to return to recovery and self-financing, Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has said.

Minister Burton was speaking in Dublin today while out campaigning for a Yes Vote in the upcoming Children's Referendum.

She said Ireland was well-placed to exit its bailout programme next year, on the back of the "tremendous sacrifices made by Irish people".

She said funding at a reasonable price for the State was critical for recovery.

"We have to have the Irish state being able to access bank funding at a reasonable cost. The IMF are very aware that that is a critical issue for Irish recovery," she said.

"The Eurozone needs to be able to show that countries can emerge from difficulties. Ireland is placed to emerge from difficulties on the back of the most tremendous sacrifices having being made by Irish people."

Meanwhile on the Children's Referendum, in which voting takes place on November 10, Minister Burton said it was important to get the vote out, and to avoid complacency.

"People have to ensure that they come out and vote...The opinion polls suggest that people accept the need for a constitutional referendum in respect of children…but we need to ensure that nobody becomes complacent about getting out the vote."