"The Central Bank has had in excess of 100 inquiries from the City of London from people who are anxious to find out what the regulatory regime would be here if they were to move activity," Noonan told parliament.

"The Taoiseach (Prime Minister), myself, several cabinet ministers and senior civil servants across departments have all been in the City of London in the last six months and are in direct contact with several companies that have expressed an interest (in) setting up in Ireland."

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)