The Economic Adjustment Programme for Ireland, usually referred to as the Bailout programme, is a Memorandum of understanding on financial assistance to the Republic of Ireland in order to cope with the Post-2008 Irish financial crisis.
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It was signed on 16 December 2010 by the Irish Government under then-Taoiseach Brian Cowen on one hand, and on the other hand by the European Commission on behalf of the Eurogroup, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
On 15 December 2013, Ireland exited the programme.
Memorandum of Understanding
On 28 November 2010, European Commission, European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), colloquially called the European Troika, agreed with the Irish government in a three-year financial aid programme on the condition of far-reaching austerity measures to be imposed on the Irish society in order to cut government expenditure.
To avoid the legislative ratification procedures required for treaties under the international law, the programme was set up as an intergovernmental agreement consisting of:
The agreements were signed on 16 December 2010 by the Irish government and the European Commission.
Financial aid
The total amount of €85 billion would consist of €67.5 billion external support, consisting of:
as well as a €17.5 billion contribution from the Irish Treasury and the National Pension Reserve Fund.