BRUSSELS, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Euro zone finance ministers said they would continue to press Ireland to accept financial aid to shore up confidence in the European Union's economy.
Irish Finance Minister Brian Lenihan until recently denied Ireland needed EU support to stay solvent, but on Tuesday said, "I am not going to put a timeline on this, but this is urgent."
He also said, "I would not agree," with an interpretation of events that had Ireland accepting aid as a foregone conclusion, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
In a meeting in Brussels, British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said, "Britain stands ready to support Ireland in the steps that it needs to bring about … stability."
Britain is already tied to helping Ireland through a European Union fund worth $81.2 billion of which Britain's share is $10.5 billion.
Another $595 billion international rescue fund has been assembled by the 16 nations that share the euro as currency, which does not include Britain.
EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn said rescue talks included the European Central Bank and the International Monetary fund.
Like the rescue of Greece earlier this year, the European Union is finding the government of a troubled country, Ireland this time, reluctant to accept help, as it may come with a political backlash.
Germany, again, expressed concern about rescuing an economy beyond its borders.
Before tossing good money after bad, "You have to create confidence in institutions, in the state, in public authorities," German economic minister Rainer Bruderle said.
