Guido Westerwelle said it is an example that you can work your way out of a crisis “with discipline and hard work”.

Speaking in Berlin after meeting his German counterpart Eamon Gilmore said Ireland was determined to be the first struggling country to exit the bailout programme.

The Tánaiste also said we are on our way to achieving that goal.

Ireland ‘an excellent example’

The Irish bailout package is due to expire at the end of the next year when the government hopes to return to the markets again.

Mr. Westerwelle said Ireland was an excellent example that you can make it with discipline hard work and that you can work your way out of a debt crisis.

He said Germany was full of respect for the Irish efforts and for the pro-European views of the Irish.

And he said Germany admires the success story that Ireland is writing.