Many Irish people face severe financial hardship as Christmas looms

World stock markets were mostly higher today after debt-ridden Ireland applied for a massive EU emergency loan to bail out its banking sector. European Union finance ministers quickly agreed in principle to the bailout, saying it «is warranted to safeguard financial stability in the EU and euro area.» All sides said that further negotiations were needed.
As talks continue many people in Ireland face severe financial hardship.
“I think that the next few weeks are going to be very difficult for people on the margin”, says Fr Sean Healy, Director of Social Justice Ireland.
He also adds that, “as they face into Christmas organisations like St Vincent de Paul …have seen their workload explode.” Listen here