ECB claims its ‘space to think’ supersedes public interest

The ECB claims that maintaining its own “space to think”, is of more importance than citizens’ right to understand how it arrives at decisions that materially affect people’s quality of life.

In response to an appeal over the ECB’s refusalto release documents relating to the deal the Government struck on the Anglo Irish Bank promissory note, the bank explained that it believed its refusal to release the information was in the public’s own interest.

The president of the ECB, Mario Draghi, responded in writing, claiming that any disclosure could undermine the ECB’s ability to operate.