Ireland returns to bond market for first time since bailout

The Republic of Ireland has returned to the capital markets for the first since it received an international bailout in 2010.

Ireland was given a €85bn (£68bn) EU bailout following the collapse of its banking sector. Today the country's debt agency raised €500m in a short-term debt auction. The National Treasury Management Agency said it was "encouraged" by the level of interest, the BBC reports.  Ireland auctioned three-month treasury bills at a yield of 1.8%, lower than the equivalent Spanish debt. John Corrigan, chief executive of the NTMA, said he was encouraged by the strong international demand for Irish bonds and their competitive interest rate. However, he added the auction is "only the first s...