EU leaders meeting in Brussels for a second day will try to agree the terms of a proposed recovery fund aimed at helping the worst-affected member states deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus.
There is opposition to the terms of the €750 billion of loans and subsidies from the so-called "Frugal Four" of Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, which want stricter controls attached to payments.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is leading the Government's attempt to have Ireland's initial allocation from the fund of €3 billion increased.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is leading the push for an overall smaller overall package, loans rather than grants for the debt-ridden south, economic reforms as a condition for getting funds, an