Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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77. To ask the Minister for Finance the role his officials have in relation to coordinating the bid to attract EU agencies to locate here. [25628/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Arising from the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, the Department of Finance has been working on promoting Ireland as the new location for the European Banking Authority (EBA).

The objective of promoting Ireland as a location for the EBA is outlined in the current IFS 2020 strategy. Since the Government's public declaration of interest in hosting the EBA, the Minister of State in my Department along with my officials have been actively promoting Ireland as a location of choice for the European Banking Authority.

My officials have engaged with relevant stakeholders, including meetings with the EBA and the European Commission, to highlight the benefits of relocating the Authority to Ireland.  The meetings with the EBA last year and early this year were to determine the needs of the Authority and its staff when they are moved from London.  Former Minister of State Murphy and Department officials also met with Vice President Dombrovskis where the benefits of Dublin as a location for the EBA were outlined.

The Department of Finance has also produced a brochure that promotes Dublin as a location for the EBA, with input from other relevant State agencies and Departments. The document is based on the criteria put forward by the President of the European Commission and President of the European Council to aid the process for decision on the new location of the EBA and EMA.  This brochure was approved for publication by Government on 13 June and has been circulated to our Missions across the Union and is also being sent to other key stakeholders.

My officials are also collaborating with their colleagues in the Department of Health in coordinating Ireland’s offers to host the EBA and the European Medicines Agency.

The next stage of the process is to submit a formal bid for the EBA prior to the deadline of 31 July. My officials are preparing that bid document and it will be submitted to Government for approval in due course.  

The final decision on the location of both the EBA and EMA is expected to be made by vote in November at the EU General Affairs Council (art. 50).