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Departmental Correspondence

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2012

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Ceisteanna (78)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

78 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the communications he has had with the German authorities in relation to the leaking of the European Commission’s economic adjustment programme for Ireland document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22516/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am assuming the Deputy is referring to the unfortunate and unacceptable leak which took place on February 29th this year. The document which leaked in February was the EU Commission Services Staff report on their assessment of the 5th review of Ireland's EU-IMF Programme of support. As a Commission document, the content of the staff report is the responsibility of the Commission staff, as is the publication of the report. This document was circulated to senior EU Finance Ministry officials in advance of the relevant EU Officials discussion that were to take place that week which is normal practice for all programme countries. The report which was published as scheduled the next day, March 1st, was substantially the same as that circulated for officials.

It is my understanding that Commission staff had appended to it the updated programme documents that were prepared following the 5th review — specifically — the Letter of Intent to the EU authorities, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Memorandum on Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP), the Technical Memorandum of Understanding (TMU). These updated programme documents, along with the Letter of Intent to the IMF, had already been made publicly available shortly after being issued by the Minister for Finance, by being laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, and placed on the Department of Finance website, on 14th February last.

On becoming aware of the leak, and the internal Commission process that they have in place, my officials raised our serious concerns with the Commission. I also contacted Commissioner Olli Rehn to express my disappointment regarding the leak and to enquire about steps taken to ensure confidentiality of documents in the future. The issue has also been raised at senior official level with the German authorities. We must nevertheless recognise that we remain in a Programme, and continue to rely on the support of the External Partners. In expressing our concern, we need also to continue working with our partners.

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