Irish govt to stagger "bad bank" payments -report

DUBLIN Aug 27 (Reuters) - Ireland is considering holding back some of the payments to be given to banks who transfer property loans to a state-run asset management agency, the Irish Independent newspaper reported on Thursday.

The newspaper, citing government sources, said Finance Minister Brian Lenihan was examining a number of ways to protect the taxpayer, including staggering tens of billions of euros in payments to Bank of Ireland (BKIR.I), Allied Irish Banks (ALBK.I) and other lenders.

Rather than giving a lump sum up front to the banks for their risky property loans, part of the payment would be held back and only paid if the National Asset Management Agency's (NAMA) assets were giving a return, the newspaper reported.

The newspaper quoted Lenihan as saying a two-part pricing schedule was being looked at.

"Yes, that is one of the options. There are a number of options. I'd prefer not to go into them," he told the newspaper.

The Irish Independent also said Lenihan would give more information on the purchases of property loans with a nominal value of 90 billion euros when he introduces legislation setting up NAMA to parliament on Sept. 16.

The newspaper said in addition to the total to be paid for the banks' development loans, Lenihan may also give the amount for each bank separately and the loss this will mean for each institution. (Reporting by Carmel Crimmins, editing by Will Waterman)