Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008 (irishstatutebook.ie)

• Enacted on 2 October 2008 to allow Minister for Finance to provide financial support to credit institutions.
• Empowers the Minister to offer loans, guarantees, and equity purchases to maintain financial system stability.
• Modifies competition law to permit anti-competitive mergers if necessary for financial stability.
• Requires annual reporting to the Oireachtas on support provided and recoupment.
• Provisions for financial support expire on 29 September 2010.

"The Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008 (Number 18 of 2008) was enacted by the Oireachtas on 2 October 2008. It empowers the Minister for Finance to provide financial support—including loans, guarantees, and asset exchanges—to credit institutions and their subsidiaries to maintain financial system stability. The Act modifies competition law, allowing the Minister to approve mergers that may lessen competition if necessary for financial stability. It requires Oireachtas approval for schemes and annual reports on support provided. The Act's provisions expire on 29 September 2010, except for winding down existing support."