Vol. 492 No. 2
46 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will furnish a report from the officials who attended the meeting of the European Monetary Committee since the beginning of 1998, setting out the nature and content of those discussion items which relate directly or indirectly to Irish budgetary policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13705/98]
The Monetary Committee was set up pursuant to Article 109c of the Treaty establishing the European Community. Article 153 of the Treaty provides that the Council shall determine the rules governing committees provided for in the Treaty. Pursuant to this Article, the Council adopted the Statutes of the Monetary Committee on 18 March 1958. Article 15 of the statutes stipulates that discussions of the Monetary Committee shall be confidential.
I am, therefore, precluded from disclosing the information sought by the Deputy.
