A witness at the trial of three former Anglo Irish Bank executives has been asked is there a touch of the British comedy 'Yes Minister' in the bank's dealings with the Financial Regulator in 2008?

Matt Moran, the bank's ex-Chief Financial Officer smiled and said it would be difficult for him to comment.

He was being cross examined by lawyers for the bank's former Chairman Sean FitzPatrick about attempts to unwind Sean Quinn's massive stake in the bank in March 2008 following a crash in the market.

The jury's heard the first draft of an agreement included approval from the regulator which was removed in the second and final draft.

Mr Moran, who has been granted immunity from prosecution, said his understanding was that they weren't getting the regulator's approval but that they were getting no objections.

Sean FitzPatrick along with former Anglo directors Pat Whelan and Willie McAteer deny providing unlawful financial assistance to 16 individuals to buy the bank's shares in July 2008.