People here actually "like the idea of surveillance" from outside agencies including the EU, according to Minister of State Brian Hayes.

"There was actually grudging support in the country for Troika," the minister said.

He made the comments at a conference in Dublin this morning.

The "Post-Troika – What Next For Ireland" conference held at the Aviva is organised by the European Commission's Irish office.

The comments appear to contradict the previous Government line that stressed its drive to "wave goodbye to the Troika."

But Minister Hayes said that in his view Irish people "like a plan" and "like the idea of surveillance."

New EU rules mean that even after the bailout Ireland will continue to be subject to outside oversight of budgets in future. Internal surveillance from the new Fiscal Council is part of that picture, the minister said.

It represents a big change and a challenge from the old style, closed, budget system, he said.

"We are not good in my view as a political system at taking criticism," the minister said.

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