Participation in monetary union will bring new responsibilities for the Central Bank and will require extended economic analysis, according to its assistant director general, Dr Michael Casey.

Presenting the Bank's last quarterly bulletin as an independent institution before the launch of the euro on January 1st, he said the additional analysis would be required for the Bank to "punch above our weight' in Frankfurt where the new European Central Bank (ECB)will be based.

He said the Bank will have to make additional statistical returns to feed the ECB's "voracious appetite". On top of that it will have to begin printing euro coins next year and notes in 2000.

"We are looking forward to the challenges which are both demanding and interesting," Dr Casey said.

He described the final bulletin as something of a "bittersweet occasion". Central Bank steps up pressure for wage restraint, page 1