Government Ministers Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin are reported to have been involved in a series of rows with Troika officials over this year's Budget.

The Sunday Times reports that at one point the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure stormed out of negotiations with the EU, IMF and European Central Bank.

It's believed the arguments were over the scale of the cuts needed in October's budget - or how much of the €1 billion saved through the Anglo promissory notes could be used to create jobs or stimulate growth.

It's understood Minister Howlin wants the target to be the 5.1% deficit mark - while the IMF is insisting a €3.1 billion euro reduction.