Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform

Statement of Strategy 2011-2014: Discussion with Department of Finance

3:05 pm

Mr. John A. Moran:

It is not a question of seeking more funds from the European Central Bank because one does not wish to have banks that are completely reliant on ECB funding. There was a long-term refinancing operation, LTRO, and the Irish banks took the benefit of it. There is a disconnect across the European system at present between the manner in which banks work in some of the core countries and the way they work in the periphery, which is being addressed. As for the specific issue of the ECB rules with respect to Ireland and Spain, it is important to remember there is a rating difference between sovereign bonds from Spain and Ireland as well, which has a part to play. The Central Bank is making sure here that there is no situation in which the Irish are being disadvantaged, based on the facts, which are that the ratings are different.