The Taoiseach has hinted that Ireland will not take up a European deal on its banking debts.

Enda Kenny said it may make more sense to sell AIB on the market rather than striking a deal with Europe, and added it would be very difficult to convince 27 other countries to give us a deal.

Ireland is now eligible to make an official application for a deal to get some of its money back for the bailout of AIB and Bank of Ireland.

Mr Kenny raised the option of offering a portion of AIB for sale, and multiplying the resulting offer to calculate the overall revenue that would be generated from a sale of the bank.

He added Finance Minister Michael Noonan had made it clear he did not wish to dispose of the remaining shares in Bank of Ireland "so that he can have an influence on bank policy".

In the clearest sign that Ireland may not take a deal - or may not get one - the Taoiseach underlined how difficult EU-wide agreement would be.

"It requires unanimous approval from (our EU) colleagues and I can understand some of them would say 'Your country is growing at 5% a year. You've come through a rough time, but you're doing very well now in comparison with where we are.'

"The Eurozone growth rate is about 0.8% and for the EU as a whole will be 1.8% next year."