The eyes of the world are focused on Ireland at the moment as speculation about a bailout continues.
Headlines from all corners of the world highlight Ireland's situation: 'Ireland resists humiliating bail-out as UK pledges £7bn', 'IMF team heads to Ireland to explore crisis steps', 'Don't blame the euro for Ireland's mess', 'Irish problems trouble for rand' and 'Ireland leaves EU 'fighting for survival'.
International media organisations, such as CNBC and Bloomberg, have broadcast live from the capital in recent months, reporting the problems with Anglo Irish Bank, rising borrowing costs and the budget deficit.
So how are the international media portraying Ireland's situation?
AFP has been getting reaction from people in the pubs.
Loic Vennin reports: 'In the streets of the Irish capital people say caving into pressure to accept a European bailout for the crisis-hit economy would be a 'humiliation' and make Ireland the 'poor lackey' of the continent.'
He says the issue 'goes to the very heart of Ireland's soul, a country which struggled for centuries to earn its independence from British rule.'
The view from one Dublin pub was clear, Mr Vennin said.
'We haven't fought the Brits for 90 years to now give up our independence to the new imperial masters in Brussels, says Sean, 54, leaning on the bar.
'His relatives died to free Ireland from the yoke of British rule, he raged, recalling the struggle against the colonial power from the rebellions of the 17th century to hard-earned independence in 1922.'
AFP reported that going 'cap in hand to Brussels for help simply isn't an option for most Irish citizens.'
'His fellow drinker, Adam, 42, is equally adamant that Dublin must not allow Brussels to dictate Ireland's future', Mr Vennin writes.
'It'll be the end of the independent Irish republic,' he said. 'Let's preserve the last shred of dignity we have, protect our sovereignty at all costs.
'I would rather be poor and free than a poor lackey of Europe. It's time to stand up and be Irish once again,' he said, to a chorus of agreement from others in the bar, the article says.
Others think that Ireland needs to take responsibility for its own mistakes, he continued.
One Dutch television news station, NOS, spoke to members of the public about their current situation.
A construction worker told them: 'There is nothing anymore. There are still only some construction projects asked by the government.
'Oh I would consider immigration, Canada, Australia, there are more opportunities, there is more work there and possibly it's better in the long term.'
A university researcher said that there was a 'huge sense of fear at the moment because people are struggling.'
A social workers added: 'It seems clear that social welfare won't escape cuts in 2011 and at that stage we would really be concerned some of the most vulnerable in society will be very badly affected by this recession and we would see an increase in the number of homeless people presenting.'
Reuters is meanwhile also looking ahead to 'crunch dates' for the Irish economy:
Reuters' key dates in Ireland's fiscal battle
18 November
A team from the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank travel to Ireland to examine what measures may be needed if Dublin decides to seek aid. France's economy minister has said the review will likely take days, rather than months.
22-30 November - Irish Government to publish fiscal plan
The government has said it hopes to publish its plan next week showing how it will make €15bn of cuts over four years with significant front loading of the measures coming in the first year. It has promised to unveil the plan by the end of the month but markets want it to be revealed earlier.
25 November - Irish parliament by-election
The outcome will be interpreted as a vote of confidence in the Government and its policies. The government cannot lose its majority, but defeat would cut it to just two seats and could dent markets' confidence that the Government will deliver on its fiscal adjustment plans.
2 December - ECB decisions on lending support measures
Juergen Stark said on 11 November that the ECB will press ahead with scaling back its support. It is expected to take away the option banks have to borrow as much as three-month funding from it. It is expected to keep unrestricted one-week loans on offer, however.
7 December - 2011 Budget
Any immediate tax changes (eg VAT) would require a parliamentary vote; if it didn't pass it would effectively be a vote of no confidence in the government, triggering an election.
16-17 December - European Council Meeting/Default mechanism plans due
The draft plans for the German-led 'orderly' sovereign restructuring regime are due to be revealed. The recent intensification of the debt crisis has raised questions what the proposal will look like.
23 December 2010 - Euro ECB loan repayment deadline
Eurozone banks have to pay back or reborrow over €200bn as the expiry of the ECB's final 12-month loan coincides with the repayment of €104bn taken in a three-month operation back in September. Irish banks are currently borrowing a quarter of all money the ECB has lent.
Early 2011 - Irish Social Welfare/ Finance Bill
The Irish parliament will face a vote on the Social Welfare and Finance Bills in the first half of next year to legislate for tax and welfare changes announced in December.
As with the Budget vote, if it is lost it would be a vote of no confidence for the government and trigger an election. Analysts believe the government will struggle to survive either of these votes.