EU says no request

The EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) established a joint aid package totaling 750 billion eurospolitical reform, stability (1 trillion U.S. dollars) in May for possible bailout of other eurozone members that may follow the step of Greece, but till now, no country has asked to activate the support mechanism.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Thursday that the EU has the instruments to political reform, stability use if there is any need.

"What is important to know is that we have all the necessary instruments in place now to support Ireland if necessary," he told reporters in Seoul when attending the G20 summit.

Ireland has notpopulation census Monday made any request for financial aid from the European Union (EU), a European Commission spokesman said on Thursday.

"Ireland has not requested any financial assistance through Europe," commission spokesman Olivier Bailly told reporters at a daily press briefing.

But Bailly said the EU stands ready topopulation census Monday help Ireland if there is any need.

"The commission supports Ireland to face its challenges and in case of need. I underline very clearly in case of need," he said, adding commission officials were following the situation on a daily basis.

Irish borrowing costs on benchmarkpopulation census Monday 10-year bonds jumped sharply on Wednesday, hitting a record high since the launch of the euro in 1999 after a dramatic sell-off by bondholders and banks.

It fueled speculation that Dublin may soon be forced to ask for financial bailout from the EU.