The Finance Minister has all but declared he won't seek European recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks.
Michael Noonan is considering a possible sell-off of some or all of the state's holding in AIB. The Government is being advised by Goldman Sachs on how to proceed to recover money for the Irish taxpayer.
Michael Noonan told the Dáil that as of now it appears getting money from the European Stability Mechanism would not be the best option:
Mr Noonan is also insisting he didn't order the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to speed-up the sell-off of properties in its portfolio.
It follows reports that NAMA is intending of disposing of up to 8 buillion euro of properties on its loan book this year.
The agency is on course to have completed its work by the end of 2018 - but will continue in existence as a property developer for Dublin's docklands.
Michael Noonan told the Dáil the agency acts independently of him:
