Gardaí cut backlog of child sex abuse case analysis in half, but long delays remain

At one stage, it could take five years before gardaí would get to a case because of the volume of material for analysis.

Ratings agency S&P is a Ryanair fan, praising ‘industry-leading operating efficiency’

The ratings agency did however note Ryanair’s ‘reputation for providing less customer-friendly services than some of its peers’.

The 9 at 9: Friday

Good morning. Here are the nine stories you need to know as you kick off your day.

Moody's give new ESM an AAA rating - but outlook is negative

Moody’s said that a ‘weakening in the political commitment’ among eurozone states towards the ESM would have negative implications.

Moody's issues negative outlook warning for Germany

Ratings agency also revised stable outlooks for the Netherlands and Luxembourg to ‘negative’.

Bad day for Spain: Record unemployment AND a credit downgrade

Almost one quarter of the workforce is unemployed, according to the latest figures out today.

Fitch ratings agency upgrades Greece

The move follows a crucial bond swap with private creditors by Greece at the weekend, which knocked over €100 billion off the country’s national debt.

Moody's backs 'credit positive' sale of state assets

In its weekly credit outlook, Moody’s welcomes the plans to sell state assets – but that our position remains “challenging”.

Fitch: 'Highly likely' that Greece will default soon

The ratings agency has downgraded Greece just one day after EU leaders agreed on a €130 billion bailout deal for the country.

Moody's downgrades six European countries - and warns of more to come

France and the UK were both warned that they could lose their coveted AAA credit rating.

Two ratings agencies downgrade Spanish banks

Fitch cut the ratings on four of Spain’s financial institutions – while S&P downgraded 15.

Irish semi-states moved from Standard and Poor's 'watch' list

Bord Gais, the DAA and the ESB are currently rated ‘negative’ by S&P.

S&P runs riot in the eurozone: France loses AAA rating as Portugal turns to junk

A French downgrade is bad news for us, too – because Europe’s bailout fund is also likely to be downgraded by S&P.

The 5 at 5: Friday

5 stories, 5 minutes, 5 o’clock…

Fitch ratings agency downgrades Hungary to junk status

The agency also said there was a more than 50 per cent chance of another downgrade within two years.

Ratings agency may downgrade Ireland - and 5 other eurozone countries

Fitch ratings agency has this evening said it is considering downgrading Ireland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia and Cyprus by one or two notches.

Ireland's economic growth forecast to hit just 1 per cent next year

Moody’s says that the fragility of the state’s economic recovery coupled with recent eurozone pressures mean growth won’t hit the govt target for 2012.

S&P puts whole of European Union on notice of possible downgrade

The rating agency’s latest move follows a similar measure imposed on most eurozone countries earlier this week.

S&P downgrades major US banks

The agency’s latest credit ratings downgrades include Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase.

'The situation in the euro area is rapidly deteriorating,' says OECD

Fresh warnings over health of the eurozone as the OECD and Moody’s voice concerns over continuing spread of debt contagion.

The 9 at 9: Monday

Nine things to know by 9am: More details on Budget 2012 pain, Archbishop denies media “anti-Catholic bias”, good news from BoI, and the end of Janet’s X Factor odyssey

Concern for France's AAA rating as 10-year bond yields rise

Investors are becoming increasingly concerned about France’s overall debt and deficit levels.

Moody's warns on France's credit rating

The agency says it may put France’s Aaa rating on negative outlook in the coming months over a weakening in the government’s financial position.

The 9 at 9: Tuesday

Nine things to know this morning…

Italy's credit rating slashed by Standard and Poor's

The agency said a “weakening” economy and fragile government were putting the country at risk.

How did ratings agencies become so powerful? Trains and recessions, that’s how

In the aftermath of the debt downgrade, people are wondering how S&P and the likes became so powerful. Here’s the answer.

Obama and Boehner spar over mounting US debt crisis

The US president has called for a “balanced approach” to the crisis, but the House Speaker says Obama cannot have a “blank cheque” for it.

European Commission slams "incomprehensible" Moody's downgrade

Jose Manuel Barroso’s spokesman says the Commission can’t understand why Moody’s is taking such a dim view.

Irish bond prices rocket - again - on 'junk' downgrade

If Ireland borrowed for two years, it would have to pay 18.6 per cent interest – 14 times what Germany would.

EU Commission criticises ratings agencies

Commission President Barroso suggests market “bias” against European countries because of agencies’ reports.

Greece's credit rating now the lowest in the world

Standard & Poor’s drops Greece another three notches and says any restructure will be considered a sovereign default.

House prices hit rock bottom - but they won't rise again anytime soon

Standard & Poor’s said in a report that house prices in Ireland are currently at pre-2000 levels of affordability but it sees no sign of the market being active over the next couple of years.

US government bonds put on 'negative' watchlist by S&P

The very benchmark of government financial reliability – the US Treasury bond – is given a talking-to by Standard & Poor’s.

Portuguese bond yields soar after overnight debt downgrade

Portugal’s crisis is taking the shine off the EU summit in Brussels, where leaders have put the finishing touches to a “comprehensive package” in response to the financial crisis.

Moody's downgrades Greece again but says Irish ratings cut is not imminent

The ratings agency is closely monitoring Ireland’s attempt to negotiate better terms on the EU/IMF deal – but has said it did not have imminent plans to downgrade Ireland.

Moody's warns of downgrade to Spanish debt

The ratings agency says it’s considering a downgrade for Spain – but the news doesn’t make a major impact on bond markets.

Anglo Irish Bank credit rating downgraded to junk

More bad news for Irish banks with latest round of credit downgrades.

Fitch downgrades Ireland, sets outlook to negative

The agency points to the cost of the Anglo bailout to explain the downgrade.

At least the FT is entertained by our downgrade

S&P downgrades Ireland’s rating. FT says: at least it’s kept us amused on a quiet day.

Agency cuts Portugal's credit rating