Linklaters, Allen & Overy (A&O) and Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) are among a raft of firms to score key roles as the Irish government last night announced plans to float a 25% stake in Allied Irish Banks (AIB).

The planned listing in London and Dublin, which is set to be one of the biggest UK IPOs in years, comes after the bank was nationalised during the financial crisis with a government bailout.