TAOISEACH Enda Kenny is to make a ‘State of the Nation’ speech live on TV this Sunday to mark Ireland's formal exit from the EU/IMF bailout programme.
This address to the nation comes as the Irish government plans a number of events on Friday to signify the exit.
Mr Kenny will speak to the nation at 9:30pm on Sunday 15 December, marking the official date of the end of the three-year funding deal with the IMF.
This would be Mr Kenny’s second address to the nation; his first came on the eve of the coalition government’s first Budget two years ago.
The speech on December 4 2011 was aimed at outlining the challenges facing Ireland as it attempts to stabilise its finances.
Friday’s events range from briefings to interviews with Ministers and representatives from State agencies such as IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Tourism Ireland.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin are due to give a press conference at 10.30am.
Following this, there will also be a panel discussion with officials from both finance departments, the ESRI and the NTMA.
