Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 178: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to issue sovereign bonds to the pension industry from the National Treasury Management Agency along the lines provided for in the social welfare legislation in December 2010; if not, the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18857/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The NTMA has had detailed discussions with the pensions and insurance industries and with other stakeholders regarding the details of the bonds to be issued and the optimum timing for such issuance so as to best meet the needs of the pensions industry as a whole and the interest of the Exchequer. The NTMA will issue the bonds when it is satisfied from its discussions with the market participants that there is a demand for them. This will depend in part on conditions in the overall market for Irish Government bonds and on the detailed guidelines and decisions of the Pensions Board. The NTMA will continue to monitor the position very closely with a view to finalising its issuance plans as soon as conditions are appropriate.