The Department of Finance has started the process that may lead to an eventual sale of a stake in state owned bank, AIB.
In a statement, the department announced that it is looking to appoint investment banks to assist in the early stages of a possible initial public offering in the bank.
It expects to appoint the 'global coordinators' early next year for an initial 18 month period.
The department stressed that the appointment process did not signal any intention of an impending sale by the government within the 18 month period.
The statement added that the Minister had the option of extending the period of contract with the banks.
"Such a sale is provided for in the Programme for a Partnership Government and the ultimate decision will be subject to a range of factors including prevailing market conditions but the overriding consideration will be whether any transaction is likely to maximise the return for the State," Finance Minister Michael Noonan said.
The Minister indicated earlier in the summer that a planned flotation of AIB would not take place until 2017 at the earliest.
Before the general election, the Minister had signalled his intention to float 25% of the bank's shares this year if he was reappointed to the Finance brief.
He later postponed that decision owing to market volatility.
