Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has accepted, we have heard, a massive IMF loan to leave office. If there is no Budget before another election the risk of Ireland and Europe sinking into the Irish sea is immense.
Thus the IMF had to deal with Cowen first as he couldn't get agreement from his party to introduce the horrific Budget.
An IMF spokesman announced : 'We need an election by Christmas in Ireland so that a new Administration can take over and then have a mandate to introduce a Budget.'
Asked whether he thought Parties would campaign for the austerity measures required, the official replied 'No, but what does that matter? They have the example of Britain's Coalition. Once in power they can change their minds, due to the horrific circumstances they discover, and blame the previous administration for the crisis.'
It was the type of cynical operation Nick Clegg would respect and after the election the Irish people could be clobbered and all would be well for Europe.
Brian Cowen was last seen on the way to the airport with his family en route for Argentina.
