Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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167. To ask the Minister for Finance if a decision to approve the sale of any shares owned by the Government in a bank (details supplied) will be put to a vote of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5385/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The State's shareholding in AIB is held in the ISIF's (Ireland Strategic Investment Fund) directed portfolio. In order to take any action in relation to the State's shareholding in AIB I would write to the ISIF and direct it accordingly.

To complete the repair of the banking system and ensure that banks are supporting the wider public interest, the Program for a Partnership Government allows for the sale of not more than 25% of any bank before the end of 2018 (plus any over-allotment option). Consistent with precedent, the decision to proceed with a IPO of AIB would likely be a decision for government.