# C_2006267EN.01000301.xml

| 1.11.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 267/3 |
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1.11.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 267/3

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4425 — Merrill Lynch/Irish Life & Permanent/JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 267/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 24 October 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Merrill Lynch International Bank Limited (‘MLIB’, Ireland), which is ultimately owned by Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc (ML, USA) and Irish Life and Permanent plc (‘ILP’ Ireland), will establish, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation, by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company (a 50/50 joint venture (the JV, Ireland)). |
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1.

On 24 October 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Merrill Lynch International Bank Limited (‘MLIB’, Ireland), which is ultimately owned by Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc (ML, USA) and Irish Life and Permanent plc (‘ILP’ Ireland), will establish, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation, by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company (a 50/50 joint venture (the JV, Ireland)).

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for MLIB: primarily involved in the general markets banking sector; |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for MLIB: primarily involved in the general markets banking sector;

| — | for ML: wealth management, capital markets and advisory companies; |
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for ML: wealth management, capital markets and advisory companies;

| — | for the ILP Group: a provider of personal financial services in the Irish market; |
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for the ILP Group: a provider of personal financial services in the Irish market;

| — | for the JV: specialist mortgage loans in Ireland. |
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for the JV: specialist mortgage loans in Ireland.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (fax No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4425 — Merrill Lynch/Irish Life & Permanent/JV, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (fax No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4425 — Merrill Lynch/Irish Life & Permanent/JV, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004 p. 1.

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005 p. 32.

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