European Union (EU) Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes, has spoken to the Irish government over Dublin's move to guarantee all bank deposits.
European Union (EU) Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes, has spoken to the Irish government over Dublin's move to guarantee all bank deposits.
Without giving any details, Ms Kroes has confirmed that she is in "close contact" with Irish authorities.
Without giving any details, Ms Kroes has confirmed that she is in "close contact" with Irish authorities.
Concerns have been raised that Dublin's move may give Irish banks an unfair advantage over foreign competitors.
Concerns have been raised that Dublin's move may give Irish banks an unfair advantage over foreign competitors.
Separately, the EU has cleared the UK government's nationalisation of British bank Bradford & Bingley.
Separately, the EU has cleared the UK government's nationalisation of British bank Bradford & Bingley.
Six institutions
Six institutions
The Irish government said on Tuesday that it would safeguard all deposits, bonds and debts in the Republic of Ireland's six biggest banks and building societies for two years.
The Irish government said on Tuesday that it would safeguard all deposits, bonds and debts in the Republic of Ireland's six biggest banks and building societies for two years.
The institutions covered are Allied Irish, Bank of Ireland, Anglo Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Irish Nationwide Building Society and the Educational Building Society.
The institutions covered are Allied Irish, Bank of Ireland, Anglo Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Irish Nationwide Building Society and the Educational Building Society.
With the scheme also covering any of the institutions' branches in the UK - be they in Northern Ireland or mainland Britain - some opponents of the move say it will unfairly make the Irish banks more attractive than their British counterparts.
With the scheme also covering any of the institutions' branches in the UK - be they in Northern Ireland or mainland Britain - some opponents of the move say it will unfairly make the Irish banks more attractive than their British counterparts.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Europe needs stronger central supervision of government-led deposit guarantee schemes such as that in the Republic of Ireland.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Europe needs stronger central supervision of government-led deposit guarantee schemes such as that in the Republic of Ireland.
Ms Kroes' office also said on Wednesday that it will investigate the state-led bail-out of German bank WestLB.
Ms Kroes' office also said on Wednesday that it will investigate the state-led bail-out of German bank WestLB.
In April the EU approved a 5bn euro ($7bn; £4bn) bail-out to the bank led by the state of Northern Rhine-Westphalia.
In April the EU approved a 5bn euro ($7bn; £4bn) bail-out to the bank led by the state of Northern Rhine-Westphalia.
The EU said it would now review this decision.
The EU said it would now review this decision.
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