Noonan hints at ECB deal on Anglo

Micheal Noonan, the finance minister, has given the strongest signal yet that a deal with the ECB on massive Anglo debts may be in sight.

With controversy raging over plans to hand over €3.1bn at the end of March as the yearly instalment on the money the previous government borrowed to bail out Anglo and Irish Nationwide, Mr Noonan said negotiations are continuing.

The Government has come under heavy fire from Sinn Féin and the United Left Alliance, with both parties insisting Ireland should refuse to honour the deal.