Market falls ahead of meeting

THE ISEQ began the week with a fall of 19.68 points to 2,985.36 yesterday.

Other European shares hit their lowest in more than a week with investors selling riskier assets ahead of a meeting of the eurozone finance ministers which is likely to press Greece to take more austerity steps. The ministers are also likely to back a bailout package for Portugal, with new conditions set by Finland.

In the financial sector, AIB slipped 0.4c to 19.6c. Bank of Ireland fell 1.2c to 22.5c, while Irish Life & Permanent was 0.5c down at 13c.