Mr Charles McCreevy TD, Minister for Finance, Governor of the European Investment Bank, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, IRL - Dublin 2
Dear Governor, Dear Charles,
Thank you for your letter of 21 June last concerning the nomination of Mr Hugh O'Flaherty for appointment as a member of the Management Committee. It is unfortunate that difficulties have arisen, but I will ask the Secretariat to prepare a full presentation to the Board of Directors on this and any other candidatures received. I should therefore like to receive your assurance that there will be no legal or political impediment to proceeding and would also appreciate any input you can provide to the dossier.
I am sure you will understand our concern at the publicity surrounding this candidature, at the extensive correspondence from Irish citizens and the possible implications for the Bank.
I feel therefore that we must be particularly careful in the way we apply our nomination procedures, which have been called in question and risk being challenged, at the level of the Ombudsman, if not higher, with potentially serious repercussions for the Bank, its organs and the candidate concerned.
I am also conscious that the Governors in their June meeting again called for a new phase of deliberations on governance and improving the effectiveness of the Bank's decision-making bodies. I am sure you agree that, no matter how we take this forward, we must not do so to the detriment of that very important undertaking.
Best regards, Philippe Maystadt