Groups petition Noonan for insurance firm to stay with Quinn

The Finance Minister Michael Noonan has been asked to intervene and help ensure that the Quinn Group's proposal to the administrator to acquire Quinn Insurance is accepted.

Quinn Insurance has been in administration for more than a year now, but it is thought a new company may soon be taking over the businesses.

Three local groups - namely the Quinn Employee Forum, Concerned Irish Citizens and Concerned Irish Businesses - have set up a petition, which they will present to Minister Noonan later today.

More than 90,000 people have signed it requesting that the Quinn Group take over Quinn Insurance.

It is understood a joint venture proposal from State-owned Anglo Irish Bank and the US insurer Liberty Mutual is also under consideration by the administrator.

Spokesperson for the three groups supporting the Quinn Group, Declan McPartlin, said the Quinn Group proposal will ensure jobs at the company will be maintained.