Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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177. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to simplify the capital structure of Allied Irish Banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44100/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The strong performance recorded by AIB in the ECB stress tests and reflected in the bank's recent trading statement represent important milestones and validation that the bank is well capitalised. This will allow my officials to move to the next phase of crafting our plans to return some of the large investments made between 2009 and 2011 to the taxpayer.

In this regard it is critical that we carefully examine all possibilities open to us to ensure that this aggregate investment is protected and enhanced with a view to ultimately generating an optimal return for the State. Any proposed changes to the bank's capital structure will reflect this objective and be subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.