The EU competition commission has given the go ahead for the takeover of Scottish & Newcastle's (S&N) European business by Heineken.

The competition commission did however say that it was concerned that the Irish beer market could be dominated by Heineken and Diageo (owners of Guinness) should the takeover go ahead.

As a result the commission said it would be referring the decision to the Irish authorities.

S&N has already agreed to a £7.8 billion takeover by a consortium of Heineken and Carlsberg, the EU has already given approval for the takeover by Carlsberg for parts of S&N's business.