THE FOCUS OF the Government is now on “fleshing out” the details of last week’s eurozone debt deal and what it means for Ireland, a senior minister has said.

Justice minister Alan Shatter acknowledged that key details of the agreement – including how much of the €120billion ‘growth pact’ agreed by EU leaders will come to Ireland – are not yet clear.

He said that the Government was focusing on “quiet diplomacy” to promote Ireland’s interests, and insisted that this was a more productive route than taking a strong stand in public.

Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week In Politics, Shatter said:

We’ve found that quiet diplomacy and engagement, rather than megaphone diplomacy and saying in public what you’re going to achieve, is much more effective.

He said ministers were engaged in ongoing contact with their counterparts across Europe as well as the European Commission and Parliament.

Government ministers will be engaging in “serious and substantial discussions” over the coming months to “flesh out” the details of the deal for Ireland, Shatter said.

But he warned that there would be no quick relief for Ireland, and the country would continue to adhere to the terms of the IMF/EU bailout programme.

The programme currently calls for a further €3.5billion in spending cuts and tax increases to be found in December’s Budget.

Explainer: What did the EU leaders agree in Brussels?>