Central Bank Governor Patrick Honohan has said Ireland's banks are 'up for sale'.
The Government is to cut them down in size after their reckless lending forced the bailout from the IMF and the EU.
Speaking to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Dublin today Mr Honohan also said NAMA had not had the result that had been hoped for.
Mr Honohan said he is in favour of our banks being owned by foreign groups.
"They (the Irish banks) are for sale as far as I am concerned," Mr Honohan said to laughter from those gathered.
He said he had been an advocate for many years of foreign ownership of the banks as it left the State with less exposre to bad debts.