The ability to disclose information is very important, as was seen for example in the DIRT inquiry. In the end the expert group took the view that the consumers' interests would be best served by combining the functions of consumer protection and prudential regulation in one body. Various alternatives were examined, first, separate authorities for prudential regulation and consumer protection; second, two competent authorities with one having a consumer protection function; or third, a regulatory authority with a subsidiary responsible for consumer protection. They were all ruled out as it was only within the entity which combined prudential regulation with consumer protection that the disclosure of information between the two could be done within the provisions of EU law.