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Merkel backs Ireland on bank deal
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny issued a joint statement yesterday reaffirming that Eurozone leaders would examine ways of improving Ireland’s bank rescue and recognising that it is a “special case”. The news will come as a boost for Kenny, who has come under pressure since Merkel said on Friday that Eurozone banks could not be retrospectively recapitalised via the bloc’s bailout fund.