The European Union’s bailout of bankrupt Ireland is pricey, coming in at 85 billion euros, or about $111 billion. But the rescue of an entire European country is still less than just one segment of the American bailout from 2008.

 

In addition to the $700 billion the U.S. government spent rescuing private banks and corporations, it shelled out another $150.8 billion to keep federal mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac afloat. So far, the federal government has recouped $16.4 billion in interest payments from Fannie and Freddie, but nothing else.

 

As for Ireland, part of their bailout (€22.5 billion) will be provided by the International Monetary Fund.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

Ireland to Receive €85 Billion Bailout at 5.8% Interest Rate (by David Labanyi, Irish Times)

Fannie Mae Bailout (ProPublica)

Freddie Mac Bailout (ProPublica)

Fannie and Freddie to Get Unlimited Aid…and Huge Executive Bonuses (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)