The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) has launched the first sale of long-term Irish government bonds in nearly 2 years.

The bonds are on offer for terms of up to 8 years.

Officials have also launched a Bond Switch.

This offers investors with bonds due to mature over the next 2 years the option of extending their terms.

Eoin Callan is a senior dealer at Danske Bank.

He says today marks a hugely positive development.