24/12 The Front Pages

'High Court approves AIB bailout' - The Irish Times

Brian Lenihan is given the go-ahead to inject €3.7 million into Allied Irish Banks. It is effectively a state owned bank now - the government's stake is 92.8 per cent.

'"Secret" bailout of AIB sparks anger' - The Irish Examiner

The 3.7 billion used to prop up the ailing bank had originally been earmarked for pensioners. "Secret court hearings are an anathema in a democratic society and I deplore the minister’s recourse to this device," Labours Joan Burton said.

"He has raided the Pension Reserve to provide the new funds for AIB. He has used the extraordinary clause in the new act to secure High Court approval by means of a secret hearing, a most disturbing feature of the new law that will deny citizens the right to full disclosure of information on this transaction."

'The long road home' - The Irish Independent

Dublin Airport is closed again. Buses to run Christmas Day.