Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----cash proceeds from the sale of bank shares would result in a reduced requirement for Exchequer borrowing, which ultimately results in lower debt. A lower debt level is not only beneficial for the fiscal sustainability of the State, but will also lead to reduced interest payments in future years. It is crucial that increases in funding for public investment are based on sustainable economic growth, and the Government is well aware of the challenges that arose in the past, when one-off amounts of money were used to fund ongoing commitments to the State.

See this speech in context