http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QZsYlgcW4Q

Watch: Bono talks about his wife sending him to modesty school

U2 FRONTMAN BONO has told delegates at the EPP Congress in Dublin that the Irish people, and not the Troika, bailed-out the country.

In an address to delegates from the European People’s Party at the Convention Centre in Dublin, the rock star said that the Irish people wite themselves into every story and praised the European project, declaring: “I love Europe.”

But he said that it was not the Troika that instigated the economic recovery, saying: “I think it was despite the Troika. The Irish people bailed the Irish people out”.

Though he added: “Capitalism can be a great thing, I should know.”

He reserved praise for European leaders and also mentioned the Labour party and President Michael D Higgins, saying that “real leadership has cost them real votes”.

He praised the “modesty” of Taoiseach Enda Kenny and joked: “I find it hard to tell the Taoiseach to his face of my gratitude, as he has told me to mine that he prefers Bruce Springsteen to U2.”

The singer, whose real name is Paul Hewson, praised the Irish people for their strong support for overseas aid despite the crisis and hit out “extremist nationalism” describing it as an “equal opportunity hate – the victim is Europe”.

He also said that a financial transaction tax, the so-called Robin Hood tax, was a good idea and part of European values, urging that it be implemented.

Spanish PM tells Ireland: ‘It was very difficult. Now, things are better’

Read: Three charged over protests outside European People’s Party congress