Irish CB ready to draw line under bank crisis

The full extent of the Irish banking sector’s capital needs was revealed on Thursday, with the country’s viable institutions (Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland, Irish Life & Permanent and EBS) asked to raise a total of Eu24bn of additional capital. Though sizeable, the requirement is well within the Eu35bn provided for the purpose by the European Union and International Monetary Fund as part of the Irish bail-out package.