Yields on Greek ten-year bonds rose to their highest levels in two years after it emerged that the IMF, one of the country’s three bail-out funders had ruled out any deferral of close to €1bn in loan repayments due in May.

The yield, or interest rate on Greek ten-year bonds rose to 12.6 percent yesterday – this compares to current yields on equivalent Irish bonds of 0.55 percent.

Explaining the IMF’s decision, Managing Director, Christing Lagarde said an advanced economy had never asked for a payment delay and she would certainly not support such a move.

Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras expressed confidence that a deal could still be reached before the end of April despite what he called the "cacophony and erratic leaks and statements in recent days from the other side."

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The Labour Party is considering giving grants to first-time house buyers. According to the Irish Independent, the plans are targeting urban couples who are struggling to meet the Central Bank's mortgage deposit rules.

The move comes amid reports the Government is considering mortgage arrears plans at the end of the month.

These new plans being considered by the Labour Party would see Minister Alan Kelly direct urban local authorities to give cash grants to those struggling to get on to the property market. It's reported that senior figures in the party support the plans.

 Aer Lingus shares rallied yesterday amid speculation that the Government will agree to sell IAG its stake in the airline.

The Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe says he wants to draw the Aer Lingus takeover saga to a conclusion soon.

Mr Donohoe updated the Cabinet on discussions with the International Airlines Group (IAG) and CEO Willie Walsh on Wednesday.

He says he anticipates being in a position to give a definitive decision in a matter of weeks - but would not be drawn on a firm deadline for accepting or rejecting the €1.4bn offer.

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Carlyle is the latest potential buyer to cast its eye over TV3, which according to informed sources is being touted for sale by its owner, the British private equity firm, Doughty Hanson.

It’s understood that US-based Carlyle may have been invited by advisers to Doughty Hanson to assess the possible purchase of the country’s second largest television network

It’s also understood the approach involves Carlyle Cardinal, the growth-fund that has been acquiring a number of Irish companies over the past year and in which Carlyle and Irish State agencies such as the Strategic Investment Fund and Enterprise Ireland, have a stake.

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The three day spring meeting between the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank begins today - the eurozone's slow recovery, a possible US interest rate increase, Greece, Ukraine, and China’s new Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank are set to dominate the conversation.

China's AIIB could represent a direct threat to the two institutions standings as the world's most powerful financial institutions.

Speaking ahead of the conference the IMF's managing director, Christine Lagarde played down the idea that the Chinese bank posses a threat to Western institutions: "The Asian Infrastructure Investment bank is the new kid on the block [and will] actually respond to a massive need that is out there, which is infrastructure financing."

She continues: "If we can work together, that is excellent news. We are ourselves very supportive of this prospect, and we will happily cooperate and contribute to the extent helpful to this new institution."

The meetings take place in Washington - the event is attended by finance ministers, central bankers and other top finance officials.

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The Irish company, Surface Power Hone, which says its unique technology can convert ordinary daylight into zero-energy, heating solutions for factories, homes and other buildings is considering developing a manufacturing facility in Ireland.

The company which this week announced it had secured a €10m contract with a Belgian partner to construct zero-energy homes in Germany, says it’s  currently assessing a number of different European locations to manufacture or assemble the panels and instrumentation it requires.