As Minister for Finance, I have no function in the relationship between the European Central Bank and the Irish Central Bank nor am I privy to any views conveyed to the European Central Bank by the Irish Central Bank. The Governor of the Central Bank carries out his European Central Bank-related functions under the Treaty of Rome and the Statute of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and his independence in doing so is guaranteed. Section 19A(2) of the Central Bank Act 1942 provides that the Governor has sole responsibility for the performance of the functions imposed, and the exercise of powers conferred, on the Central Bank by or under the Rome Treaty or the ESCB Statute.
Section 6A(3) of the Central Bank Act 1942 provides that the Minister for Finance may not request information relating to ESCB functions from the Governor or the Central Bank.
Additionally, article 282(3) of the Treaty of Rome provides that the European Central Bank shall be independent in the exercise of its powers and that European Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and the Governments of the Member States shall respect that independence.