Brussels, 18/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission expressed regret on Friday 18 November 2011 about the leaks in the media about the Irish budget for 2012, after reporters got hold of confidential documents in Germany. A Commission spokesperson said that as a member of the troika of lenders, the European Commission is required to share confidential information with member states' finance ministers so that they can decide about paying the next instalment of aid. Information about the Irish budget submitted to the German finance ministry was leaked to the media, but the Commission has decided not to take any action. Denmark, the United Kingdom and Sweden, all of which are providing their own funding to Ireland, are also provided with the same confidential information as the eurozone nations. (MB/transl.fl)