Brussels, 05/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 5 October, the European Commission announced that it was to open an in-depth investigation into several public aid operations granted by Italy to businesses of the former Tirrenia group, which operate ferries between the peninsular and various islands. It wishes to ascertain that: - the public service compensation granted by the Italian state to the companies Tirrenia di Navigazione, Caremar, Saremar, Siremar and Toremar for the operation of sea routes between the peninsular and the islands (Sicily, Sardinia and others) does indeed respect EU rules on services of general economic interest (SGEI) and does not bring these companies an unfair economic advantage over their competitors; - the additional funding and tax breaks granted to them when they were privatised did not distort competition; - the terms of the privatisation of Tirrenia di Navigazione and Siremar did not give these two companies or their purchasers any undue advantages. Various complaints regarding these three items were brought to the Commission's attention in December 2008. (FG/transl.fl)