Almost 20,000 jobs were created by Enterprise Ireland supported companies in 2014.

That's a net increase of 8,476 jobs when job losses, which were at their lowest in 14 years, are taken into account.

It brings to 180,000 the number of people employed by companies that are supported by the government agency, which is responsible for helping Irish businesses to develop and export in world markets.

Of the 183 start-ups Enterprise Ireland assisted last year, 43 were led by female entrepreneurs.

Speaking to Jonathan Healy on Lunchtime today, Minister Richard Bruton stated that this is a record figure for Enterprise Ireland.

"This is the best export ever by our exporting companies and this hasn't happened by accident. There's been a lot of work put in to make sure that we opened up new markets."

Here is his interview in full:

The Minister also stated today that the Government's decision to prepare AIB for sale is a sign that we have successfully restructured our financial institutions.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan's appointed Goldman Sachs to advise the coalition on what to do with the stake in the bank.

The opposition says it's an admission the Government's now abandoning any plans to get a special deal on recapitalisation.

Minister Richard Bruton says the banks have now become valuable assets for the taxpayer: