Written answers

Tuesday, 28 February 2017

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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179. To ask the Minister for Finance the engagement he has had with the European Commission, the ECB or the European Banking Authority regarding a possible move of the authority to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9692/17]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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While I personally have not specifically raised this issue in talks, I would point out that Minister of State Murphy along with my officials are using every opportunity, to promote Ireland as a location of choice for the European Banking Authority. The Department of Finance role in promoting Ireland as a location of choice for the EBA is outlined in the current IFS 2020 strategy. As part of this strategy, the Minister of State Murphy met with the Executive Director of the European Banking Authority earlier this month.

My officials have also been engaging with relevant stakeholders in order to further progress the goal of relocating the European Banking Authority to Ireland, post the completion of the negotiations between the EU and the United Kingdom. This has included meetings with the European Commission in order to highlight the benefits of relocating the Authority to Ireland.  The meetings have also sought to determine the needs of the European Banking Authority and its staff, after they are re-located from London.

Finally, I would like to point out that the ultimate decision on relocation of the European Banking Authority will be made by both the European Council and Parliament and will be linked to the triggering of Article 50 by the UK and subsequent negotiations between it and the European Union.    

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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180. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has identified possible locations for housing the European Banking Authority if it moves here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9693/17]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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In the event the EBA is re-located to Dublin, the decision relating to accommodation is a matter for the Authority. The EBA have made clear they require a location with good transport links to other European capitals and commercial office space equivalent to the 45,000 sq ft they currently occupy in London. As a location, Dublin would be able to provide both of these. The fact that Dublin has a pipeline of over 12 million sq. ft of commercial office space up to 2021 has been highlighted by Minister Murphy and my officials in their discussions with the EBA and other relevant stakeholders.  

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