Mr. Gabriel Makhlouf:

I am very happy to do that. As I said, in my letter I am very sorry that I could not attend the hearing. I am particularly sorry that we did not give clearer and earlier notice of my absence from the country that week. We should have done better and I am sorry that we did not. I do not think that sort of thing will happen again. It was my decision that William Molloy and Adrian Varley, who is not here today, would be the best people to represent the Central Bank to answer the questions on the reports the Comptroller and Auditor General had tabled. My focus was on who would be best placed to represent me at this hearing.

In terms of the leaks, I am afraid the only thing I can assure the committee on is that nobody in my office spoke to any journalist about both the items the Cathaoirleach mentioned. It is incredibly regrettable that leaks happen. The Central Bank is not in the business of leaking and will not be in the business of leaking, but I cannot, I am afraid, explain how it happened.