Dublin loses to Frankfurt as seat of new EU financial crime watchdog

Junior Finance Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has been leading the campaign to win over European hearts and minds for Dublin's bid. Photo: Frank McGrath

Sarah Collins

Dublin has lost out to Frankfurt in the race to host the EU’s new financial crime watchdog after a secret ballot of MEPs and ambassadors on Thursday.

The Government was one of nine countries to throw its hat into the ring as the headquarters of the new European anti-money laundering agency (AMLA), with MEPs and EU ambassadors at odds over which capital to choose.