Sovereign Debt

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2012

Tuesday, 14 February 2012

Questions (143)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

182 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the amount of Irish sovereign debt purchased in the secondary market which is held by the European Central Bank; if he will provide a breakdown by purchase date and the rate that was paid; the amount in total that would be saved if this debt was repaid to the ECB at the rate it paid in the secondary market; if he will ask the ECB to redeem these bonds at the rate paid in the secondary market as is now being proposed for Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8421/12]

Written answers

Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan)

There has been much speculation in recent months about the extent of the European Central Bank's (ECB) purchases of sovereign debt on the secondary markets. The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland maintains the register of holders of Irish Government bonds. I am informed by the Central Bank however that the ECB does not disclose its holdings of sovereign debt and therefore it is not possible to supply the information requested by the Deputy.

Question No. 183 answered with Question No. 177.