The stories that made the headlines this year

From political turmoil in Greece and the VW emissions scandal in Germany to Denis O’Brien’s manoeuvres and the sale of Aer Lingus at home, there was plenty to read about this year

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**Greece back from brink**

Greeks decided in September to grant Alexis Tsipras a second term in office as prime minister in a general election that returned his leftist Syriza party in first place but was also marked by an unprecedented low turnout of 55 per cent. In mid-July, Greece was on the brink of euro zone exit, amid contentious talks culminating in an all-night meeting of EU leaders. One month later, a bailout package had been agreed.
Photograph: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images

**Up, up and away . . .**

British Airways parent International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) took control of Aer Lingus. IAG first launched a ¤1 billion bid in December 2014, which was rejected on the grounds that it “fundamentally undervalued” the airline. The group later upped its bid and ultimately succeeded in getting approval from the major shareholders in the airline, including the Government’s 25.1 per cent stake.
Photograph: Aidan Crawley/Bloomberg

**Drumm awaits his fate in jail**

Former Anglo Irish Bank chief executive David Drumm is in a maximum-security prison in the US, after being denied bail while he fights extradition to Ireland. He has been held in custody in New England since his arrest on October 10th pending the hearing of his extradition case, which is due to begin on March 1st. He is sought in Ireland to face 33 criminal charges concerning transactions carried out while he was in charge at Anglo.
Photograph: Melissa Ostrow

**An election-focused Budget**

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin at a pre-budget photocall in Government Buildings in Dublin in October. The budget was considered a giveaway by many observers, with critics saying it was an attempt to garner support ahead of the general election. The two Ministers presented tax cuts – most notably with a reduction in the universal social charge – and increases to social welfare, such as pensions and child benefit payments.
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

**VW takes a dent**

Volkswagen admitted it had fitted cheat software to more than 11 million diesel cars across its Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW brands. Recalls are beginning for Irish owners, but even public apologies for losing customer trust cut little ice. It has also tarnished Germany’s reputation internationally and made a mockery of the current emissions test regime for all cars.
Photograph: Peter Steffen/Afp/Getty

Wed Dec 30 2015 - 09:50

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The stories that made the headlines this year

From political turmoil in Greece and the VW emissions scandal in Germany to Denis O’Brien’s manoeuvres and the sale of Aer Lingus at home, there was plenty to read about this year

MORE GALLERIES

LATEST STORIES

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