Kenny: Deal on €32bn close

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has given the clearest indication so far that a deal on the €32bn Anglo Irish promissory notes is in the pipeline, and that Ireland will not have to hand over another €3.1bn, plus €1.8bn in interest payments, at the end of March.

He also suggested that the Minister for Finance may consider taxing hedge fund transactions, admitting that the stamp duty on financial transactions did not apply to them.

“We are negotiating with the ECB on the promissory notes and I am confident we will have a conclusion and a deal on that before the next payment date of the end of March,” he said.