Potential for AIB sale to raise more than €3bn

The prospects for the Government securing more than €3bn from its sale of AIB shares could brighten this weekend if French far-right candidate Marine Le Pen polls poorly in the first round of presidential elections, according to analysts.

The sale of a 25% stake in AIB by the Government has long been expected to raise between €2.75bn and €3bn for the State’s coffers.

The sale of shares in the bank, which was nationalised at the height of the financial crisis over six years ago, had been scheduled for a sale in late May, at the earliest, if market conditions allow.