United Left TD Joan Collins has been awarded 75% of her costs arising from her failed promissory notes challenge.

The action by the Dublin politician focused on the lawfulness of the decision by the Minister for Finance to issue €31 billion promissory notes in favour of Anglo Irish Bank and the EBS.

Despite being unsuccessful, the High Court has ruled that hers was an exceptional case that merited a departure from the normal rule that the loser foots the legal bill.

It recognised the importance to the State of testing novel and important legislative and executive decisions with 'far-reaching consequences'.