Dr. Munir Nuseibah:

Ireland, as I mentioned in my statement, is an independent State with full responsibility for the actions of any of its organs, including the Central Bank. Based on this, there seems to be a gap in the legal system which needs to be fixed. The fact the Central Bank says its code of conduct has a number of boxes to tick that does not include the Genocide Convention as well as other crimes means there is a problem with the due diligence expected from the Central Bank. This is exactly the problem the Parliament can fix. Of course, it is understandable the Central Bank is independent in the same way it is understandable the Judiciary is independent and any other commission of the State that has independence in its functions. It is very important to keep that independence. Nonetheless, if this independence does not also involve a code of conduct and a certain due diligence code that ensures, for example, in this case, the Central Bank is not authorising the sale of bonds that are used for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, human trafficking, drug trafficking and any other crimes, then there is a problem in the legal system that does not put these questions within the boxes that need to be checked and examined by the Central Bank. The suggestion is not to intervene in the financial work of the Central Bank but, rather, to intervene with regard to the boxes it needs to check. At the end of the day, anything the Central Bank does reflects on Ireland. Who is going to be held liable? Which state is going to be held liable? It is Ireland. Individuals can also be held criminally responsible for their contribution if they knowingly authorise. This can also lead to an individual's criminal responsibility according to Irish law and international law.