The EU blocked Hutchison’s bid to create the UK’s biggest mobile carrier, the latest setback to consolidation that telecommunications operators say they need to funnel money into new networks.

The EU has charged Russia’s state-controlled Gazprom energy giant of abusing its dominant position in central and eastern EU nations in an anti-competitive case that will further test tense relations between Brussels and Moscow.

The EU is investigating Belgium’s tax deals with multinational corporations, potentially dragging dozens more companies into widening probes of sweetheart fiscal pacts handed out by national governments.

The European Commission’s new president, Jean-Claude Juncker, comfortably survived a no confidence vote yesterday brought over news that Luxembourg had lured multinational businesses with super low tax rates during his period as prime minister.

The takeover by telecoms service provider “3” owned by the Hong Kong company Hutchison of “O2” has been approved by the European Commission.

Galway Airport could be re-opened after EU changes has made it possible for countries to grant state aid to struggling regional airports.

Ryanair’s failed third bid to take over Aer Lingus begs the question whether the move would be allowed under any circumstances.

Aer Lingus is adding another aircraft to its transatlantic route following figures which show that despite the recession its long-haul routes are remaining popular.

Investigators from the European Commission arrive in Dublin today as part of their inquiry into possible infringement of EU competition law by the Government over subsidies granted to Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus on certain routes.

Ryanair has described as “rumour and speculation” reports it has offered to pull a number of Aer Lingus routes if it is allowed to take over the rival airline.

The European Union’s executive body, the Commission, is to open an investigation into whether Microsoft has kept the competition commitments it made in 2009, warning that penalties for non-compliance could be severe.

Higgins in the driving seat over buses

The International Monetary Fund is to help European officials monitor Spain's multi-billion euro banking bailout.

BANK of Ireland has won EU approval for government help after it agreed to reduce reliance on wholesale funding and focus on “balanced risk” lending in Britain and Ireland.

THE European Commission has cleared the winding down and eventual closure of Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society which between them have received close to €35 billion of taxpayers’ money.

IRELAND’S financial stocks rebounded yesterday as the European Commission backed further moves to alleviate the country’s banking crisis.

THE EU yesterday sanctioned billions in state aid for Irish banks, including Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide.

IRELAND’S bank guarantee scheme was the second largest in the EU and accounted for a sixth of the total €4.5 trillion that member states used to underwrite their banking sectors over the past two years.

European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia today welcomed the comprehensive statement issued by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan on the banking system, saying it brought "clarity" to the situation.

THE European Commission reacted positively to the Government’s plan to effectively wind-down Anglo Irish Bank, but warned that a number of important aspects needed to be clarified before the Commission would sign off on it.

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan has insisted nationalised Anglo Irish Bank will not be allowed to bring down the country.

AN orderly wind-down of Anglo Irish Bank will be one of the issues Finance Minister Brian Lenihan will discuss with the European Commission today.

The European Commission has authorised under EU state aid rules the €875m emergency recapitalisation of EBS building society.

THE European Commission has warned that banks must wean themselves off state guarantees, saying it is crucial for economic recovery.

THE cost of car repairs and spare parts is set to drop after the European Commission introduced new rules which say manufacturers must provide parts and know-how to independent garages.

The European Commission today approved massive government cash support and major restructuring plans for Royal Bank of Scotland – the largest state aid package to any company in the EU’s history.

Banks and bankers were slammed as out of touch by Europe’s fair competition chief this afternoon.

CONTROVERSIAL bad bank NAMA is essential in tackling the country’s banking crisis, the EU’s economic commissioner said yesterday.

The controversial Nama proposal is essential in tackling Ireland’s banking crisis, the EU’s economic commissioner said today.

EUROPEAN UNION authorities, which recently imposed hefty fines on chipmaker Intel and utilities E.ON and GDF Suez, intend to increase pressure on these sectors, the EU’s antitrust chief said yesterday.

The EU Commission has approved Ireland's scheme of levies and tax relief in the health insurance sector, primarily aimed at making health insurance affordable for older people by decreasing the risk differentials for health insurers between old and young customers.

The European Commission today ruled out any swift approval of the UK government’s plans for a £3bn (€3.5bn) cash injection for Northern Rock.

The European Commission will be investigating the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank to ensure the move is line with EU state aid and fair competition rules, a Commission spokesman said today.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has assured the European Commission that the Government’s plans to guarantee bank deposits would avoid distorting financial markets across the EU.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan tonight assured the European Commission that his government’s plans to guarantee bank deposits would avoid distorting financial markets across the EU.

The Financial Regulator is giving its backing to the Government's plan to underwrite the loans and deposits of six Irish banks.

The Labour Party is demanding the Government caps the salaries of bosses of the country's top banks involved in the €400bn rescue plan proposed yesterday.

Rolling Stone Mick Jagger joined a new group today – of consumer and industry chiefs drawing up an online shopping report for the European Commission.

Moves to open the market in the collection of music royalties were condemned today as “calamitous” for artistic creativity.

Microsoft has been fined a record €858m today by the the European Union for charging rivals too much for software information.

GLOBAL computer software giant, Microsoft, has been found guilty of abusing its dominant market position by freezing out competitors and must pay a record fine of €497 million as a result, the European Court in Luxembourg has found.

Aer Lingus has welcomed the decision by the European Commission to block Ryanair's attempt to take over the State airline.

The European Commission has announced an "in-depth investigation" into Ryanair's planned takeover of Aer Lingus.