Four times in the past two years, Irish authorities have tried to draw a line under their country's raging banking crisis. Now they are hoping the fifth time is the charm.

Ireland's central bank is today expected to unveil the results of 'stress tests' of four major lenders. Analysts expect the exams will show the banks need upward of €20bn ($28bn) in additional capital. That is likely to leave the Irish government as majority owner of virtually the entire banking sector.