Róisín Shortall
Question:58 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the plans if any he has to visit the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1935/98]
Written Answers. - European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.
My first formal involvement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will arise when, in my capacity as Governor at the Bank for Ireland, I will attend the annual meeting of the bank in Kiev, Ukraine on 11-12 May 1998.
Typically on-going relations between shareholder countries and the bank are conducted through the country's full-time director or alternate director at the bank.
The Irish alternate director of the EBRD, Mr. Tony Brown, and his constituency colleague Danish director, Mr. Torsten Gersfelt recently completed their first official visit to Dublin. I was pleased to have a short but useful meeting with them during their visit. They also had an exchange of views with officials of my Department, the Departments of Foreign Affairs and of Public Enterprise and various interests from the banking, business and political sectors. I look forward to working closely with the director and alternate director in support of the EBRD in its efforts to further the transition process in the bank's countries of operation.
It is not the norm for Governors to visit the bank unless special circumstances arise. My predecessor for instance visited the bank during Ireland's Presidency of the European Union. Governors from the bank's countries of operation have also addressed the Board of Directors of the bank when they were seeking support to have the away Annual Meeting of the bank held in their country.
In these circumstances, I have no specific plans at present to visit the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. I will of course be happy to do so if an issue arises that would warrant such a visit.