The Minister for Finance says Ireland has not yet ruled out asking the EU for a deal on Ireland's banking debts.

But Michael Noonan now admits that the State will probably make more money by selling its banking shares to private investors instead of asking for a deal in Europe.

In today's Spring Economic Statement the minister said Ireland was on course to get back all of the 34 billion euro it invested in AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB.

However tonight Mr Noonan has said that is more likely to come from private investors than the EU's bailout fund.

“It’s not off the table but government policy is to recover as much of our investment as possible on behalf of the taxpayer,” he said.

“At present it looks as if going through the market for a competitive tender, like we did with PTSB, gives us the best return,” Mr Noonan added.

Meanwhile the two finance ministers have denied snubbing the opposition, after leaving the Dáil before the opposition had finished their replies.

TDs from the Technical Group complained that both Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin left the Dáil chamber before they got to speak.

Mr Howlin said everyone has the right to appear on the media - including the ministers themselves.

“I’m looking across at the opposition, people like Gerry Adams, who was giving out about it, had just come into the house, he wasn’t there for most of it,” Mr Howlin said.

“Two and a half hours is a long stretch, we had media commitments. Most of the Opposition had left to do media and it would be bizarre if the only people who couldn’t do any media were the two ministers presenting,” he added.