Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a matter for any shareholder to decide when to divest their own shares. While it is helpful to hear the views of others, as Minister for Finance it is for me to take a recommendation to Government. Before last summer, I made such a recommendation on the disposal of more than a quarter of AIB. That proved to be a very successful floatation for AIB and a very positive transaction for the Exchequer. Regarding future opportunities that are open to me, I keep market conditions for the three banks in which we have shares under ongoing review. I have assigned very important sections in the Department of Finance to tracking this matter and monitoring our shares within those banks on an almost daily basis. If there is an opportunity for good value to be realised for the taxpayer, I will recognise that and take a recommendation to the Government. However, it is a matter for ongoing tracking. I will not give any indication of my future plans, because if I did that it could impact the value of the shares we have at the moment.