Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-10-26-Speech-2-108"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"1999-10-26"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:ECB annual report2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.19991026.3.2-108"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:1999-10-26-Speech-2-1092
lpv:speaker	lp:Jules Maaten2
lpv:spokenAs	member; Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 unknown; Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 member; Delegation for relations with the Member States of ASEAN, South-east Asia and the Republic of Korea (1999-09-29--2002-01-14)3 substitute; ECON (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 member; ELDR (1999-07-20--2002-03-06)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, this is an important debate for it is the first time we have come to discuss the European Central Bank’s report. The fact that President Duisenberg is present serves to underline the special relationship that the ECB has with our Parliament. The Liberals are satisfied with the ECB’s report and with the four proposals put forward by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs for there to be more transparency in the bank’s dealings. But we are disappointed that the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs has shown itself unwilling to take one step more towards achieving still greater openness, hence my group has submitted a number of amendments to this end. I refer in particular to the publication of votes and the voting behaviour of each individual member of the Governing Council. We believe that this could only strengthen, not weaken the independence of the members. After all, the attendance of the Council of Ministers and the European Commission means that the national governments too are now in a position to know how the members vote and are able to bring pressure to bear at will, but then this is done completely unverifiably and behind closed doors. We do not doubt the integrity of the members of the Governing Council and openness is, we think, the best way in which to guarantee greater integrity. We have no time for the argument that members could not then change their minds. Of course they can if, for example, circumstances changed or new arguments were put forward. It may well be that their voting behaviour would initiate debate, but we are sufficiently reassured that the members of the Council have the fortitude to deal with this. Greater openness is a sign of strength and inspires confidence. We consider this to weigh more heavily than any possible risks. What is more, publication would bring the Bank more into line with the Federal Reserve Bank in the United States and the Bank of Japan. Why should we Europeans act as if we have something to hide? Surely that is only going to weaken confidence in the euro? Mr President, as liberals we are very much in favour of the ECB’s being independent and we value the part the President has to play in upholding this. But we believe that greater openness would reinforce the independence and authority of the ECB and request that Parliament supports moves to this end."@en1

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