the ongoing work on the key role biodiversity plays in our economy is important in this regard. but we also need to realise that the status quo is not sustainable – and so big changes are required to our economy and our lives. st. brigid as a symbol for renewal of the land can again be an inspiration for us here. conclusion to conclude, it is more than 1, 500 years since brigid founded and headed a double monastery for men and women ; but it is little over a 100 years since women in ireland have had the equal right to vote. in the intervening years, progress on equality was not linear, and it was not smooth. but then when i think about this progress, the words of eavan boland spring to mind, in her poem " our future will become the past of other women ". 4 / 6 bis - central bankers'speeches boland writes of the suffragettes, and how " in the shadow of their past, they vote [ d ] in the light of what will be ", aptly capturing in this instance the torch of progress, being passed – being shone. and thinking of brigid's legacy, i wonder if she ever thought that that future she forged would become the past of other women, just like the suffragettes, just like the women who are breaking through the ceilings of today. as we think of the torch of progress, it is apt that brigid is represented on our coin today holding a torch – a flame. st. brigid's flame burns in this very building – as a beacon of hope, justice and peace for the world. given all of the challenges which we face, it is a symbol which is still very much needed today. finally, before i finish, i want to thank some of the people who've helped to organise this afternoon's event. i want to recognise the central bank's currency centre team for the fantastic work they do each year on the collector coin series ; our team that produced the coin and mary gregoriy for her beautiful design. i would like to acknowledge the ongoing work of the numismatic advisory panel who support the bank's collector coin programme. and finally, on behalf of the central bank, i'd like to again thank everybody here at the solas bhride centre for your hospitality and for hosting us today. it is a great honour to be with you all to celebrate this special occasion in kildare. go raibh mile maith agaibh

patrick honohan : publication of the central bank of ireland annual report 2010 opening statement by mr patrick honohan, governor of the central bank of ireland, at the publication of the central bank of ireland annual report 2010, dublin, 30 may 2011. * * * we are today publishing the central bank ’ s 2010 annual report ; and for the first time an annual performance statement on our financial regulatory work. the latter is a new requirement under the central bank reform act of 2010. i am joined today by my colleagues, tony grimes, deputy governor for central banking ; matthew elderfield, deputy governor for financial regulation ; and gerry quinn, chief operations officer. major challenges on several fronts engaged the central bank during 2010, and continue to do so. the main driving force remains the pressing need to restore stability to the irish banking system. the central bank continues to work with the ecb to ensure that the necessary liquidity is available to allow the irish banking sector continue to function. the central bank has set new, tougher capital requirements to ensure the banks are strong enough to withstand future losses. we have brought in new consumer protection measures, not least in relation to the treatment of mortgage arrears. we have introduced new standards of corporate governance to the financial services industry and we have embarked on a major programme of enhancing supervision and enforcement. over the past year, the central bank has continued to provide policy advice to government on national economic issues, and to make public our views on current economic conditions and broad policy options. with the government ’ s access to market funding severely curtailed, the central bank did not hesitate to recommend a prompt application for assistance to the eu and imf financial support facilities. it provides a window of time during which the government can demonstrate its adherence to a convergent fiscal strategy, thereby helping to rebuild market confidence. to date, the programme is firmly on track. turning to our own financial accounts, the central bank ’ s profit for the year to 31 december 2010 amounted to €840. 9 million. after retained earnings, surplus income of €671 million will be paid to the exchequer. as i said, are also publishing today an annual performance statement ( financial regulation ) for 2010 and 2011. this comprises two main sections – a review of performance in 2010 and a regulatory performance plan for 2011. our key priority remains the resolution of the banking crisis and helping to put the banking system on a sound footing. we are now at your disposal for questions. bis central