Brussels, 14/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 11 January 2008, the European Commission gave its green light to the creation of a joint company between the American First Data Corporation and the Irish banking group Allied Irish Banks. The entity will provide services related to payment cards, mostly in Ireland, but also in the other member states. First Data is already active in payment and electronic trade services throughout the world, whilst Allied Irish Banks provides various financial services, mostly in Ireland. The investigation carried out by the Commission showed that the joint business will continue to face effective competition, both on the market for services provided to economic operators (transaction authorisation, recovery of funds and provision of card readers) and on the market for services offered to consumers (management of the cards themselves). (C.D.)