Pressure is mounting for an investigation into Nama's deal to sell Dublin's Clarence Hotel to a consortium including Bono and the Edge, according to the Sunday Business Post. Nama sold the Clarence, on Wellington Quay, to the consortium in an off-market deal. Fianna Fáil's Michael McGrath is among the political figures who have expressed concern.

The paper also reports that AIB paid out €50 million to 250 its its senior staff members last year. Some €21 million was shared by 92 senior members of the management team, while a further €6.3 million was paid over to 43 staff controlling key business areas.

Twinlite offer

The

Sunday Independent

reports that Twinlite, the developers of Tyrrelstown, had approached social housing agency Tuath with a proposal to sell them up to 40 of the properties.

Tuath had said a due diligence process was under way, although it was not its intention to displace existing residents.

Meanwhile, Maxol’s incoming chief executive Brian Donaldson told the paper that the company was hoping to open seven outlets this year, with a €30 million budget set aside for expansion.

Social housing fund

Merrion Capital plans to set up a social housing fund to buy up the homes of struggling mortgage holders, who would then remain in their homes as tenants, according to the

Sunday Times

. It reports that the stockbroker will link with a private equity firm and institutional investors to raise €100 million.

The paper also reports that Microsoft is planning to spend $1 billion on an expansion of its Irish data centres.