How Ireland's fiscal crisis evolved
1999 JANUARY 1st -The euro comes into existence, triggering an era of low interest rates.
JULY- Bank of Scotland (Ireland) moves aggressively into Irish mortgage market.
Minister for finance Charlie McCreevy expands range of property-related tax reliefs.
2000Bank of Scotland (Ireland) introduces interest-only mortgages to mainstream residential property market.
2003Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland comes into being.
2005New minister for finance Brian Cowen announces intention to restrict property tax reliefs over time.
Introduction of 100 per cent mortgages to residential property market.
2006Liam O'Reilly steps down as chief executive of Financial Regulator.
2008 FEBRUARY 2nd- UK government nationalises Northern Rock.
MARCH 14th- Struggling US investment bank Bear Stearns is acquired by JP Morgan.
MARCH 16th- First sign of weakness in Anglo as shares dive 18 per cent on worries over exposure to UK property market.
MAY 21st- Bank of Ireland the first to hint at falling profits.
SEPTEMBER 14th- Bank of America purchases Merrill Lynch.
SEPTEMBER 15th- Lehman Bros files for bankruptcy in the US.
SEPTEMBER 17th- Financial Regulator prohibits short-selling on financial stocks indefinitely.
SEPTEMBER 30th- Government announces bank guarantee for six Irish institutions.
2009 JANUARY 15th- Anglo Irish Bank nationalised.
Pat Neary resigns as regulator.