Coalition: Public debt still a challenge

Public debt is still a major challenge and will remain so into the future, Government has warned.

It came ahead of Finance Minister Michael Noonan announcing his intention to sell off 25% of the State’s stake in AIB and intends to pump the money earned from the flotation into reducing the national debt.

The Department of Finance is due to publish a Public Debt Report next week, which will highlight what the country still owes and is expected to stress the need for prudent spending.