It is believed that the consulting firm Blackrock International will complete its stress testing of Ulster Bank’s loan books within two weeks, which is part of the British government’s review of Royal Bank of Scotland.

CONSULTANTS were handed €34 million to advise the Government and state agencies on the banking bailouts, it was revealed yesterday.

THE top civil servant in the Department of Finance has admitted the key ministry lacks sufficient in-house expertise to cope with all the issues arising out of the economic crisis.