Europe worried about Spain not Ireland: Irish finance minister

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Europe is more concerned about the financial crisis in Greece triggering problems in larger economies such as Spain than Portugal and Ireland, the Irish finance minister said on Sunday.

"The European authorities are more worried about countries like Spain than they are about Ireland and Portugal," Michael Noonan told state broadcaster RTE.

"The authorities that I have spoken to believe they can prevent contagion spreading to Ireland and Portugal but they have some concerns about the bigger European countries, and they are going to draw the line there.

"I presume they will bring other policy instruments forward as necessary."

Noonan added that he expected the Greek government to win a crucial parliamentary vote on austerity measures this week.

(Created by Carmel Crimmins)