Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In any comments that I make publicly, particularly on the work I do within the eurozone, I have to be conscious of and respect the independence that the European Central Bank has in these matters and I have to recognise that, for decisions that it makes that are significant for all of the economies in Europe, it is independent and it has to make those decisions independent of public and political influence.

More broadly, what I want to see is budgetary and monetary policy continuing to operate in an integrated way. Recognition that the financial market environment within which Ireland borrows could change is the reason Ireland is committed, over time, to steadily reducing the amount of money that we need to borrow and to getting ourselves in a position for next year - one year ahead of schedule - where our only borrowing needs will be to fund to invest in our future. I believe we will see over time - I hope at the right time - changes in how countries such as Ireland need to fund themselves.

See this speech in context