This morning.
Government Buildings, Dublin 2
Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), meets Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to discuss “the strengths and challenges facing Ireland, as well as promoting gender equality”.
Do not mention the bribery conviction.
Pics via Leo Varadkar
Taosieach Enda Kenny and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde at Government Buildings in Dublin in January 2015
The Financial Times reports:
Christine Lagarde was found guilty of negligence in public office by a special Paris court on Monday in a case that has cast a cloud over her position as managing director of the International Monetary Fund.
A French tribunal decided not to hand down any sentence to the former French finance minister. Ms Lagarde’s lawyer said the verdict would not enter into her judicial record and claimed the verdict as a “half victory”.
The court, dedicated to judging ministers, said Ms Lagarde failed to prevent a fraudulent €403m payout the French state made to flamboyant entrepreneur Bernard Tapie when she was finance minister.
The court said that Ms Lagarde should have appealed the payout, which occurred in 2008.
The conviction is an unwelcome stain on the IMF managing director’s stint at the fund. But it may not be enough to see her toppled at the head of the fund.
French court finds Christine Lagarde guilty of negligence (Financial Times)
Meanwhile…
Statement via Thanasis Koukakis
Previously: The Real Heroes
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde at Government Buildings this morning.
Meanwhile…
#IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde says Irish people were “the real heroes” of the recovery and that it was a “difficult” journey
— Brian O’Donovan (@BrianODTV3) January 19, 2015
Nice.
Previously: He’s Held In High Lagarde
Pics via Merrion Street
UPDATE:
Taoiseach remarked that Madame Lagarde's signature was "like a work of art" pic.twitter.com/oTq6psvyRX
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) January 19, 2015
Vom
FIGHT!
Get a boudoir, you two.
Enda Kenny and the IMF’s Christine Lagard at the G8 Summit in Fermanagh this afternoon: laughing at YOU.
Mistake with the trousers/shirt/blazer combination, in fairness.
(Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)
In an interview in today’s Irish Times, Christine Lagarde – head of the International Monetary Fund sez:
“We want Ireland to be a success,” and added she wanted to see how the IMF and the Irish authorities could best plan for a successful conclusion to the programme while making sure there would not be a relapse.
“That is what I am most concerned about,” Ms Lagarde said.
“Clearly the world economy avoided collapse last year and I am very concerned that, by moving into a semi-complacent mood, people risk a relapse.”
Asked about the risk of a relapse in Ireland, she said: “Our sense is that it is better to plan than to get caught afterwards with a need for support down the road.”
Surgical knickers ahoy.
(Pic Getty Images/Zimbio)
