Article 16a 3.

With regard to the prudential assessment of mergers and acquisitions falling within the scope of Directive 2009/138/EC and which, according to that Directive, require consultation between competent authorities from two or more Member States, the Authority may, at the request of one of the competent authorities concerned, issue and publish an opinion on a prudential assessment, except in relation to the criteria set out in point (e) of Article 59(1) of Directive 2009/138/EC. The opinion shall be issued promptly and, in any event, before the end of the assessment period in accordance with Directive 2009/138/EC.