The Finance Minister has accused Fianna Fail of wiping billions off the value of Irish bank shares - just by publishing a bill.

Michael Noonan says bank shares fell by 10 per cent after Fianna Fáil published proposed legislation - to put a limit on variable mortgage rates.

The first vote on the bill is expected to take place in the Dáil tonight

The comments came as the Fianna Fáil bill was debated in the Dáil last night - and let to some tense exchanges between the minister and Fianna Fáil's Michael McGrath: