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Julien Behal/PA Wire

Noonan denies ECB instruction to refuse information about IBRC

The finance minister says the ECB has not told Ireland to refuse Freedom of Information requests about the IBRC wind-up.

MICHAEL NOONAN has denied that the European Central Bank instructed the Department of Finance to block any public requests for information about the liquidation of the former Anglo Irish Bank.

The finance minister said the ECB had not approached Ireland telling it to refuse any Freedom of Information requests about the winding-up of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation.

Nor, he said, had Ireland contacted the ECB to ask about its stance – though the ECB had informed Dublin that it would refuse any requests it received for information about the liquidation.

“The ECB has not and would not seek to influence the proper operation of national legislation,” the minister insisted.

The statement comes after the Irish Examiner repored this week that the ECB had instructed the Department of Finance to refuse any requests for information if it received Freedom of Information requests from journalists or members of the public.

Its report said the Frankfurt-based bank had told Ireland to refuse any requests, quoting an Irish source as saying “all negotiations are off” – possibly referring to talks on easing the terms of Ireland’s bailout conditions – if sensitive information was released.

TheJournal.ie has subsequently lodged similar requests for information about the IBRC liquidation with the ECB itself, where any refusal can be appealed and subsequently referred to the European Ombudsman.

“Throughout the period of the discussions between the Irish Authorities and the ECB the confidentiality of matters discussed was emphasised between the parties,” Noonan said, in response to written Dáil questions from Fianna Fail’s Michael McGrath.

However, the ECB has not been approached in relation to documentation requested under specific FOI requests relating to the liquidation of IBRC nor has the ECB requested the Department not to release any such documentation.

Noonan said his Department would examine any requests for information about IBRC – though noting that the FOI acts exempted certain types of correspondence from release.

This includes most correspondence relating to Ireland’s international relations, a clause regularly cited when refusing requests for correspondence between authorities in Dublin, Brussels and Frankfurt.

“In the event that third parties object to information being released the Department will take a view on the nature of the information, the basis on which the information was received or acquired and the views of the third party, etc,” Noonan said.

“The Department will then decide whether the information should be released under the FOI Acts having regard to particular circumstances and the requirements of the public interest.

Read: We asked for copies of the ECB’s letters to Brian Lenihan. Here’s what happened

More: Lenihan letters: What’s been released, and what hasn’t

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53 Comments
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    Mute linda o neill
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:14 AM

    Where are the Labour liberals now who promised to open the F.O.I act so that the people of this country would have Democracy returned to them

    69
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    Mute Carcu Sidub
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    Apr 27th 2013, 9:04 AM

    So the ECB did instruct Dept of Finance not to release information, but not by saying so, but by saying the ECB wont release the information which means the Dept of Finance cant release the information.

    How dumb does Noonan think the Irish people are?

    I guess we will have to wait for the 30 year or 50 year rules to get the truth which happens to be the same time period our grandchildren will finish paying for this financial mess!

    68
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 9:13 AM

    And the rest. They’ve a couple more “bailouts” up their sleeves yet…

    46
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    Mute james r
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:05 AM

    He’s just a liar !! No back bone

    37
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:17 AM

    Oh he has a strong back bone alright…
    But he uses it against his own countrymen and women.

    33
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    Mute Quentin Collins
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:19 AM

    James r
    So a Government Minister who observes the law is a liar. Strange world you occupy!

    1
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    Mute Little Jim
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:20 AM

    Oh no James, he’s a liar with a strong backbone.
    A very dangerous man who is capable of despicable actions.
    This man dragged a dying woman through the courts, how he is in this position now raises very serious questions.
    Questions that will never be asked, let alone answered.

    40
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    Mute dave dunn
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:55 AM

    Noonan is a bondholder.

    38
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    Mute dave dunn
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    Apr 27th 2013, 11:20 AM

    Quinton Collins / shaw/ dilco . I would nt be surprised if u were one then t.d s sitting there on the journal under several fake names defending an absolute shambles of a government .

    28
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 11:32 AM

    Of course he is Dave, I’ve narrowed it do o to couple of the fine gael die hards…

    26
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    Mute Little Jim
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    Apr 27th 2013, 12:28 PM

    Or maybe it’s the journal trolling us to bump up the number of comments.
    Hit rates = ad revenue.
    This oddball never seems to have any trouble with the comments policy.

    5
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    Mute Declan Conway
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    Apr 27th 2013, 1:15 PM

    One of the first rules of journalism about politicians

    - assume they are lying because their lips move.

    6
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    Mute Peter Coyle
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    Apr 27th 2013, 7:36 AM

    “Deny, Deny, Deny!!!!!!!!”, he’s an idiot!!

    61
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    Mute Ed Kavanagh
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:01 AM

    Hes not an idiot. He knows exactly what he doing. I would be happier if he was an idiot. Hes helping them hide the enormous debt until they are ready to steal your money from your bank accounts and pensions.

    93
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    Mute Martin Stapleton
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    Apr 27th 2013, 7:31 AM

    Well at least he is positive on this one for now unlike his role during the week with the Boucher vote when he could have stood up and said enough is enough!

    58
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    Mute Martin Allen
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    Apr 27th 2013, 9:24 AM

    We as a people are in disarray and have been kicked into a submissive nation, when on occasion you do get a bit of anger expressed by a few at protests, you then get the idiots come on the radio talk shows and distance the themselves from “that type of behaviour” It is time to kick ass!

    36
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 9:52 AM

    The last protest is perfect example of the cover ups “our” media engage in, that picture circling Facebook of between 7 and 10 thousand people holding up the “red card” against labour, why wasn’t that front page of every newspaper in Ireland?
    Today look at the front pages of the majority of the papers what story is on it?
    Not this story, that’s for sure…
    And we wonder why people aren’t protesting more?

    36
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    Mute Quentin Collins
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:18 AM

    Leonard
    I’ll tell you why such a picture wouldn’t be on the front page of all the National newspapers. Because a handful of scruffy demonstrators who for the most part are in receipt of income from the State and lean to the Left out of ignorance and a need for everyone else to pay but them doesn’t make interesting reading or boost circulation.

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    Mute Martin Allen
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:32 AM

    Quentin speaking of ignorance; what the hell are you blabbing on about? If protesters are not smartly dressed it is because of austerity, recession and gross unemployment they cannot afford an adequate dress code, hence their protest!

    36
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:57 AM

    Oh it has surfaced! Scruffy? I seem to recall thousands of your countrymen and women from all walks of life attending that protest, i was “smartly”dressed as was my wife as were my children, but the typical fine gael attitude you continually show really reflects on your attitude to your fellow people. So do your self a favour Collins/Vincent/Shaw or whatever you like to call yourself Reg get a grip and stop being such a smug little git.

    33
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    Mute dave dunn
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    Apr 27th 2013, 11:35 AM

    I believe front page of sun newspaper during week was of the shape of a penis in the dirt made with some space craft. As amazing as that is im sure theres more important things happening on our planet. I personally don’t buy newspaper anymore as there full of garbage as is r.t.e.

    17
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 11:54 AM

    Its a joke and todays papers are the same, yeah a famous rapist has been charged, yeah what he done was horrible no doubt but stick it on page 3 instead of a pair of ugly fake tits, or at least some real nice ones :-D

    5
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    Mute Clifford Brennan
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    Apr 27th 2013, 3:30 PM

    @quentin. I was at the protest. Were you? Handful and scruffy. Neither word is accurate. There were thousands from all walks of life. Please park your prejudice before commenting.

    7
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    Mute Chris
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    Apr 27th 2013, 7:49 AM

    Who does he think he is kidding the muppet

    35
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 7:54 AM

    @Chris.
    You.

    22
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    Mute Chris
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    Apr 27th 2013, 7:56 AM

    He’s not kidding me

    18
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:04 AM

    He’s fooling most of the country.
    Why aren’t we doing somethin about it?

    39
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    Mute Chris
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:13 AM

    What do you propose I marched back in the eighties in the anti tax marches and all we achieved was higher taxes they laughed at us our unions are useless

    44
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:36 AM

    At Chris… Occupy everything… And Im not talkin bout a couple of smelly hippies doing it. Im talkin bout everyone, children everyone, the garda are already demoralized.
    Post offices, tax offices, members of the cabinets gardens everywhere!
    Jesus there is a lot at stake here,
    I don’t want my kids growing up to leave here, i don’t want to have to leave here because i can’t provide for my family.

    32
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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:45 AM

    The problem is who believes Noonan any more, another discredited politician.

    29
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:59 AM

    Is he tho Kerry?

    7
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    Mute Dermot Purcell
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:18 AM

    kerry can i say who believes him every body working in RTE.

    11
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:51 AM

    And a lot of older people dermot some of them rely solely on that disgrace of a station to provide them with the “news”.

    18
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    Mute Dave Byrne
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    Apr 27th 2013, 9:21 AM

    Like lying lenny what ever that horrible little b*ll*x does he will take it to grave with him, so much for transparency and openess with this government.

    25
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 9:45 AM

    Not to sound cruel Dave or anything but your grandchildren will be taking these “loans” with them to their graves.

    21
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    Mute dave dunn
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:56 AM

    Higgins is a bondholder

    12
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:59 AM

    Leonard is a bondholder!

    7
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    Mute dave dunn
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    Apr 27th 2013, 11:21 AM

    Go on you bollix

    4
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    Mute bob®
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    Apr 27th 2013, 7:20 AM

    To paraphrase,”jay’sus Michael, will ya get your shit together and deny everything”, what are we posting you for!

    24
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:10 AM

    I for one am truly astonished by the people of this country for allowing this p**k to continue talking like this to us. On Thursday hundreds of thousands were out protesting in Madrid and Lisbon and not such a whimper from the Irish media about, we are not alone for god sake.
    Are you all just goin to sit at home and watch your children grow up to leave this country? The rest of Europe isn’t goin down without making a stand but the wimpy selfobsessed ignorant lazy Irish are! Make a stand before its too late!
    Thanks Gavan for doing the right thing and writing this article and highlighting this issue of which most of our mainstream media purposely ignored.

    91
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    Mute Jim Jameson
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:21 AM

    Obviously Irish people just like to complain a lot because if they were really suffering they would be on the streets demonstrating. The reason they haven’t done this can only be the social security net is too secure.

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    Mute Chris
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:22 AM

    I agree with you Leanord totally

    23
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    Mute Leonard Washington
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    Apr 27th 2013, 8:25 AM

    No Jim id tend to disagree. I believe they are being intentionally being kept in the dark about the true severity our fellow Europeans are facing, and always remember, its them now, its us next…

    38
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    Mute drogcolm
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    Apr 27th 2013, 9:32 AM

    I totally agree. How no one has been shot yet is beyond me. The revolution will not be televised.

    32
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    Mute dave dunn
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    Apr 27th 2013, 10:53 AM

    Release the names of the bondholders noonan or a are you one yourself . And what to that 3.5 billion use found early last year. Didn’t hear anything about that since????

    14
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    Mute Jim Flavin
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    Apr 27th 2013, 12:27 PM

    Leonard – they are not being kept intentionally- they are too dumb or lazy to go look for info. Maybe they believe the BS of the mainstraem media – if so – they are fools – and the bankers are right —- politicinans also to treat them like dirt .
    IMO – Religion has a lot to do with it ..–The Obedience factor – its gods will – pray hard .
    What I see here on Journal – even those I might disagree with – is not consitent with waht IMO are opinions of eg rural Ireland especailly .
    Anyway – the idea of the fighting Irish is one sick joke .Great people to drink and talk – and thats about it .
    Noonan is IMO lying tro his teeth – but waht matter – the real govt is in Germany – so why do we need these as#lickers in LH

    10
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    Mute Colin Frawley
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    Apr 27th 2013, 1:37 PM

    On the ball again Jim

    1
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    Mute Gordon Lambe
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    Apr 27th 2013, 11:18 AM

    Noonan is a lying bastard,end of!!!!

    20
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    Mute wierdo varadkar
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    Apr 27th 2013, 12:35 PM

    let me get this straight
    we the taxpayer have taken on a debt of 30 billion and we cant access any information as to the breakdown of that debt.
    now if someone is paying a debt surely that person has a right to know whos debt it was

    16
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    Mute John Wooldridge
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    Apr 27th 2013, 11:17 AM

    I wouldn’t believe a word out of that bastards mouth!

    13
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    Mute Toby Parker
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    Apr 27th 2013, 2:08 PM

    We should all be ashamed of ourselves for having tramps like this representing our people.

    9
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    Mute Peter Jury
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    Apr 27th 2013, 7:56 PM

    One wonders if politicians have any real decision-making power left at all! And apart from authority, it seems they lack the competence to deal with the many problems arising from the economic crisis. Perhaps they need advice from professional economic crisis specialists. For example, the Orlando Bisegna Index, specialists in the economic crisis, have developed a program that has helped various counties with debt problems, business failures and unemployment, thus improving the economic condition of many families. The program has arisen from their development of the Orlando Bisegna Index, a unique index based on 206 diverse indicators that measures the intensity of the economic crisis in the G20 countries and other Euro countries.

    4
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    Mute David Giles
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    Apr 27th 2013, 7:49 PM

    Ireland is no longer an independent country. It is a colony of the Eurozone.

    2
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