Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which the views of the Central Bank of Ireland are reflected in the ECB with particular reference to the need to ensure that the vital interests of the economy are kept to the fore and that actions encouraged by the ECB are in consort with the national recovery mode currently required in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9977/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Finance, I have no function in the relationship between the European Central Bank and the Irish Central Bank nor am I privy to any views conveyed to the European Central Bank by the Irish Central Bank. The Governor of the Central Bank carries out his European Central Bank-related functions under the Treaty of Rome and the Statute of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and his independence in doing so is guaranteed. Section 19A (2) of the Central Bank Act, 1942 provides that the Governor has sole responsibility for the performance of the functions imposed, and the exercise of powers conferred, on the Central Bank by or under the Rome Treaty or the ESCB Statute.

Section 6A (3) of the Central Bank Act 1942 provides that the Minister for Finance may not request information relating to ESCB functions from the Governor or the Central Bank.

Additionally, article 282 (3) of the Treaty of Rome provides that the European Central Bank shall be independent in the exercise of its powers and that European Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and the Governments of the Member States shall respect that independence.