8.4.2011 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 94/33
DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
of 31 March 2011
on temporary measures relating to the eligibility of marketable debt instruments issued or guaranteed by the Irish Government
(ECB/2011/4)
(2011/227/EU)
THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first indent of Article 127(2) thereof,
Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank (hereinafter the ‘Statute of the ESCB’), and in particular Article 12.1 and the second indent of Article 34.1, in conjunction with the first indent of Article 3.1 and Article 18.2 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Pursuant to Article 18.1 of the Statute of the ESCB, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks of Member States whose currency is the euro may conduct credit operations with credit institutions and other market participants, with lending being based on adequate collateral. The criteria determining the eligibility of collateral for the purposes of Eurosystem monetary policy operations are laid down in Annex I to Guideline ECB/2000/7 of 31 August 2000 on monetary policy instruments and procedures of the Eurosystem (1) (hereinafter referred to as the ‘General Documentation’).
(2) Pursuant to Section 1.6 of the General Documentation, the Governing Council of the ECB may, at any time, change the instruments, conditions, criteria and procedures for the execution of Eurosystem monetary policy operations. Pursuant to Section 6.3.1 of the General Documentation, the Eurosystem reserves the right to determine whether an issue, issuer, debtor or guarantor fulfils its requirements for high credit standards on the basis of any information it may consider relevant.
(3) There are exceptional circumstances prevailing in the financial market, arising from the fiscal position of the Irish Government in the context of an adjustment plan supported by the euro area Member States and the International Monetary Fund, and there is a disruption of the normal assessment by the market of securities issued by the Irish Government, with negative effects on the stability of the financial system. This exceptional situation requires a swift and temporary adaptation of the Eurosystem monetary policy framework.
(4) The Governing Council has assessed the fact that the Irish Government has approved an economic and financial adjustment programme which it has negotiated with the European Commission, the ECB and the International Monetary Fund, as well as the strong commitment of the Irish Government to fully implement such programme. The Governing Council has also assessed and endorsed the implementation of the programme by the Irish Government until now. The Governing Council has also assessed, from a Eurosystem credit risk management perspective, the effects of such a programme on the securities issued by the Irish Government. The Governing Council considers the programme to be appropriate, so that, from a credit risk management perspective, the marketable debt instruments issued by the Irish Government or guaranteed by the Irish Government retain a quality standard sufficient for their continued eligibility as collateral for Eurosystem monetary policy operations, irrespective of any external credit assessment. These positive assessments are the bases for this exceptional and temporary suspension, put in place with a view to contributing to the soundness of financial institutions, thereby strengthening the stability of the financial system as a whole and protecting the customers of those institutions. However, the ECB should closely monitor the continued strong commitment by the Irish Government to fully implement the economic and financial adjustment programme underlying these measures.
(5) This Decision shall apply temporarily, until the Governing Council considers that the stability of the financial system allows the normal application of the Eurosystem framework for monetary policy operations,
Suspension of certain provisions of the General Documentation
1.   The Eurosystem’s minimum requirements for credit quality thresholds, as specified in the Eurosystem credit assessment framework rules for marketable assets in Section 6.3.2 of the General Documentation, shall be suspended in accordance with Articles 2 and 3.
2.   In the event of any discrepancy between this Decision and the General Documentation, the former shall prevail.
Continued eligibility as collateral of marketable debt instruments issued by the Irish Government
The Eurosystem’s credit quality threshold shall not apply to marketable debt instruments issued by the Irish Government. Such assets shall constitute eligible collateral for the purposes of Eurosystem monetary policy operations, irrespective of their external credit rating.
Continued eligibility as collateral of marketable debt instruments guaranteed by the Irish Government
The Eurosystem’s credit quality threshold shall not apply to marketable debt instruments issued by entities established in Ireland and fully guaranteed by the Irish Government. A guarantee provided by the Irish Government shall continue to be subject to the requirements contained in Section 6.3.2 of the General Documentation. Such assets shall constitute eligible collateral for the purposes of Eurosystem monetary policy operations, irrespective of their external credit rating.
Entry into force
This Decision shall enter into force on 1 April 2011.