BUSINESSES with branches in different EU member states could have the same telephone number for customer support under a suggestion floated by the European Commission.

IRELAND will be allowed to retain its 12.5% corporation tax rate, but is under pressure in bailout talks to give fewer tax breaks to foreign multinationals, say EU sources.

THE European Commission document on reforming the €55 billion Common Agricultural Policy outlines three options, ranging from a gradual change from the present system to a radical overhaul that would phase out direct payments in their current form.

DESPITE two years of restructuring and up to €50 billion of taxpayers’ money, there is growing consensus the country’s banking system is still in need of a complete overhaul.

IRELAND moved closer to accepting an EU-IMF bail out last night as a team from the IMF, the ECB and the European Commission arrives in Dublin later this week to assess the condition of the Irish banks.

A NEW tax regime will be among the issues EU Economics Commissioner Olli Rehn and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan will discuss when they meet this evening in Dublin.

“BUNGA bunga” was the most popular phrase being used at the EU leaders’ summit last week.

WE have more trust in gambling, hairdressers and the lottery than we do in bankers, pension advisors or estate agents.

LEGAL experts are examining the Lisbon Treaty to see if it is possible to make the changes Germany wants without holding a referendum.

BUSINESSES should have their bills paid by national authorities and other businesses within 30 days under new rules agreed by the European Parliament.