The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, and the bank's employees are not the only shareholders who would benefit from the sale of ICC Bank, as there are also 48 minority shareholders most of whom are descendants of the original owners.

Out of the bank's 21.9 million shares, 1,239 are held by minority shareholders. There has been speculation that £170 million sterling (€282 million) is being discussed with Bank of Scotland. This would put a value of about £10 on each share.

The minority shareholders are descendants of the original shareholders from when ICC Bank was set up in 1933. Among the biggest private shareholders is the Ginnell family of Mullingar, which owns 460 shares inherited from Ms Marcella Ginnell.

Stockbrokers Mr Joe Davy and Mr Brian Davy of Dublin own 250 shares; Ms Eva Briscoe of Dublin owns 125 shares; Mr Ken Beaton, of Dublin, owns 70 shares. Directors and former directors who own shares include chairman Mr Phil Flynn (one share), chief executive Mr Michael Quinn (two shares) and former chief executive Mr Frank Casey (two shares).