IRELAND’S two largest banks will undergo tough stress tests over the next few months, raising questions about their future viability.

DETAILS of the biggest shake-up for the insurance industry in the last 30 years will be outlined today by EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy.

Italy’s Premier Silvio Berlusconi said today that the European Union should intervene in the planned French energy merger aimed at blocking a potential hostile bid from Italian energy company Enel.