Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As on all matters, this is a democracy and the Government, which has a majority in the House and is elected to govern the country, governs it. The Minister for Finance's mandate comes from the electorate and he takes advice from the appropriate authorities and makes decisions as best he can. That is the way it works. The NPRFC is the body that holds the shares and the officials from my Department are appropriate advisers, as are the NTMA and the Central Bank, depending on the issue. I take advice all the time and I then make up my mind and make a decision.

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