Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

47. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding Ireland’s bid to host the European Banking Authority. [44897/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The European Banking Authority and the European Medicines Agency, which are currently located in London, have to move to another location within the EU when the UK leaves the Union.

Ireland's formal offer to host the European Banking Authority (EBA) was submitted to the Commission by my Department on 31 July 2017.

On 30th September 2017, the European Commission issued its evaluation of each of the eight bids to host the EBA.

Along with Ireland’s offer to locate the EBA in Dublin, offers were submitted for Brussels (Belgium), Frankfurt (Germany), Luxembourg, Paris (France), Prague (Czech Republic), Vienna (Austria), and Warsaw (Poland). 

I welcome the Commission's assessment that Ireland meets all six of the selection criteria and the positive feedback given in relation to each of these. The assessment commented positively on the buildings that Ireland has proposed, noting the high environmental standards of the proposed buildings, the capacity to offer additional space if required by the EBA, the ease of access to transport facilities for staff and visitors, and that they will be ready for the EBA to occupy prior to March 2019. 

The assessment was also favourable in terms of the business continuity dimension, and referred to Dublin's ability to retain staff due to language considerations and proximity to London, as well as access to the extensive pool of highly qualified staff. We highlighted in our bid that the choice of Dublin would minimise disruption to the EBA and its staff, offering an easier adjustment for staff moving from London, thus supporting the retention of the highly qualified staff of the Authority.

In line with the agreed selection procedure, and based on the Commission's assessment, there was a political discussion among the representatives of the Member States in the margins of the General Affairs Council on 17th October. The Heads of State of government were informed about the political discussion amongst the ministers by the Estonian Presidency in the margins of the European Council (Article 50) on 19-20 October. 

Since the submission of our bid for the EBA our bid has been promoted by our EU missions as well as at Ministerial level. In addition, officials from my Department have held a series of bilateral engagements to promote our bid with different Member States over the last number of weeks.

This approach will continue until the final decision on the relocation of the EBA is made. This will be made by the 27 Member States through a voting process in the margins of the General Affairs Council (Article 50) on 20th November 2017.