The ongoing global financial crisis has exposed large gaps in the ability of both the EU’s institutions as a whole, and of the eurozone group in particular, to take a common approach to solving the problem. In the absence of a common policy approach we have seen individual member states, including Ireland, resorting to national responses. In the case of Ireland this has led to accusations from some commentators in our partner states that we have acted in an anti-competitive manner, bringing the basis of the Single Market and the stability of the euro into question. While these accusations have lessened, as other states have been forced into taking their own individual actions, questions about the proper role of the EU versus that of individual member states in managing the crisis have if anything increased. The assignment will therefore seek to address these questions in relation to the current and possible future roles of the Irish authorities versus that of the EU institutions The following is a broad non-exhaustive list of the kind of areas that you might try to address in the assignment: . Background to the crisis. . The role and actions of the Irish authorities in managing the crisis. . The EU legislation, if any, relevant to the issue, both existing and any legislation currently planned, proposed or being debated. . The policy-making roles, if any, of the main EU Institutions in the area. . The main issues for the EU and Ireland in the area including possible effects on the single market, competition policy, the euro, etc. . A SWOT type analysis for Irish business on the current and possible future role of the EU institutions in the area. . Conclusions/lessons for Ireland and its future in the EU.