Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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170. To ask the Minister for Finance the contact he or the Central Bank has had with authorities in New Zealand regarding investigations into the behaviour of the incoming Governor of the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23886/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The New Zealand State Services Commissioner is carrying out an investigation into the unauthorised access of New Zealand Budget material and the events surrounding it. The State Services Commissioner, Peter Hughes, has stated that his office will not be making any comment on the matter until his investigation is concluded and all of the facts have been ascertained. The investigation aims to conclude by 27 June 2019, if possible. Consequently, it would not be appropriate for me or the Government to comment on the matter at this time. 

My officials have been in contact with our Embassy in New Zealand to obtain updates on the matter and for the reasons above it was agreed that it would not be appropriate for me or my officials to contact the State Services Commissioner.

I understand that Mr. Makhlouf has agreed to the ongoing investigation as the best approach to establishing the facts of the matter. He is continuing to work as usual in his role as CEO of the New Zealand Treasury.