The Taoiseach has described the Independent.ie Anglo tapes as a 'thunderbolt' which shines a light on a very dark period of Ireland's recent past.

Speaking in Brussels he says the truth of the culture of the Celtic tiger years must be unveiled as it effects every single person, family, company and community.

Enda Kenny is insisting that an Oireachtas enquiry will be undertaken in an impartial manner. But he has again expressed concern about the lack of a paper trail in the Department of the Taoiseach surrounding the bank guarantee.

Mr. Kenny was speaking to reporters in Brussels as Ireland finishes hosting the EU Presidency.

Earlier, the Social Protection Minister said she was not surprised at the comments of Angela Merkel over the Anglo tapes. The German Chancellor says the revelations in the tapes are damaging to democracy and she treated them "with contempt".

Mrs. Merkel said the comments were damaging to democracy, social market economics and everything we strive for.

Angela Merkel said, "It's hard to digest for those who go to work every day. It's damaging democracy, social market economy and everything we strive for. That's why it's an incredible challenge for us to convince people who get up every morning to do their work, who always pay their taxes, who even show solidarity with those who are weaker. It is damaging, this is why I regard this with contempt."

In one of the tapes an executive can be heard singing "Deutschland Uber Alles". Minister Joan Burton says that is highly offensive.

While Transport Minister Leo Varadkar does not think there will be lasting damage with Germany.

Anglo reach

The Anglo Irish tapes story has put Ireland on the international news agenda for all the wrong reasons this week.

Data from O'Leary Analytics has found that as of last night, there were 1,513 articles across 650 publications printed in 48 different countries on the issue.