BREAKING NEWS

Ireland says may exit bailout without EU backstop

Ireland will become the firsteuro zone country to exit an international bailout inmid-December and may do so without a financing backstop from itsEuropean partners, the ruling party announced at a triumphantrally on Saturday.

Prime Minister Enda Kenny told a gathering of his Fine Gaelparty that "the economic emergency will be over" when thecountry exits its 85 billion euro bailout on Dec. 15, confirmingthe official date of the exit for the first time.

"There's still a long way to go. But at last, the era of thebailout will be no more," Kenny said to loud applause.