Published: Thu, 06 November 2014
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Sean Kelly MEP has sought further clarity on the release of the series of correspondence between the former Irish Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, and the then ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet, in the lead up to the bailout.
“The ECB already indicated to me that it would publicly release the infamous November 19th 2010 letter – on which they are to announce their decision today (November 6th). This is vital information and of public interest given the ongoing banking inquiry in Ireland. Furthermore, it would also be most helpful for the ECB to release the series of letters leading up to that particular piece of correspondence, in order to provide greater context and insight into the situation and negotiations surrounding the bailout.
“With that in mind, in recent days I further requested that the ECB consider the release of other letters of relevance between Trichet and Lenihan. I understand that the ECB is aware of four such letters of interest in total, including the letter dated November 19th 2010 – as printed in today’s Irish Times,” Mr Kelly commented in Brussels today.
“I am awaiting clarification from the ECB as to whether they will now officially release the November 19th letter, which is already in the public arena, and whether they will go further in the interests of transparency and release the three other letters,” the Ireland South MEP added.
Mr Kelly, the Leader of the Fine Gael delegation in the European Parliament, last week confirmed that the ECB intended to discuss and decide on the release of the infamous letter today (November 6th), following his discussions on the matter directly with the ECB.
