Ireland on the Rocks

Ireland’s austerity plan: the nation’s pain in pictures…

Protestors start to gather outside the Parliament Buildings, known as the Dail, in Dublin.

Picture: EPA

A woman walks past a mural showing Brian Cowen, the Irish prime minister, and Brian Lenihan, the Finance Minister, as the Blues Brothers on a wall in south Dublin, ahead of the budget announcement.

Picture: EPA

Have you head the one about the three wise men?

Mr Cowen is joined by Mr Lenihan (left) and Environment Minister John Gormley (right), as he unveils the four-year austerity plan designed to save the state €15bn.