Irish anger as the eurozone tries to stand firm

“No one will be sheltered from austerity” – that was the message from Ireland’s prime minister as he unveiled a four-year financial plan of cuts in return for an 85 billion euro bailout.

But Brian Cowen’s government is deeply unpopular and close to collapse due to widespread anger felt at his handling of the deficit crisis.

The plan includes thousands of public sector job cuts and tax rises which ordinary people are blaming on the government and the greed of the banks.