IMF's Lagarde upbeat on Ireland's economic prospects

IMF chief Christine Lagarde visited Dublin on Friday to discuss the possibility of Ireland exiting its rescue program this year. She praised the country's efforts to reach the austerity targets and stated that over two-thirds of the fiscal work has already been done.

The IMF head assured that she sees a strong commitment to boosting growth and employment: “This is really being done in this country. Sometimes there is a worry about what is at the end of the road. There is clearly hope at the end of this road.” Nevertheless, she warned that further action was needed in the banking sector.

During a press conference Christine Lagarde suggested that apart from the bailout loan maturity extension, the IMF is considering other options of helping the country to successfully exit the rescue program.