Kilkenny TD to grill Europe’s top banker

KILKENNY TD John McGuiness will quiz Europe’s top banker today.

The Fianna Fáil deputy, who is also the Chairman of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, will question Mario Draghi, the Head of the European Central Bank, about the relationship between the bank and Ireland.

Brexit, tracker mortgage overcharging, interest rates and inflation are among the topics expected to be discussed at the hearing.

Speaking previously about Mr Draghi’s visit Deputy McGuinness said: “It will be an opportunity to speak about future engagement with member states and the ECB’s oversight role.”

Relations between Ireland and the ECB have thawed in recent years following criticism of the European central bank’s controversial role in Ireland’s bailout. The former ECB president, Jean-Claude Trichet, refused to appear before the Oireachtas Banking Inquiry in 2014.