Britain’s government says it stands ready to support Ireland as the country seeks a multibillion euro bailout from the international community.
Britain’s Treasury says that a successful Irish economy and a stable Irish banking system are in the U.K.’s interest and that it would be closely involved in discussions over the size and scope of the assistance expected to be offered to Dublin.
Britain and Ireland share close historical ties and the island nations are among each other’s most important trading partners.
The Irish finance minister said Sunday that he had endorsed a push to seek billions in aid from Europe and the International Monetary Fund to help plug its gaping deficit and shore up its debt-ridden banks.