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

Things are evolving pretty quickly. With regard to the business plan for recovery in AIB, it is well ahead of the targets set, as it did not expect to be in profit in 2014. It is significantly in profit, with the figure in excess of €400 million. The two banks are strengthening well. The economy is growing at pace and there are effectively only two significant banks in business; therefore, there is a major business opportunity and they will move very rapidly to strengthen. I do not disagree with a number of the points made by the Deputy and all of these considerations will be taken into account before we make any policy decision on the disposal of AIB.

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