Date: 2023-03-23Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2023/670 of 21 March 2023 amending Decision 1999/70/EC concerning the external auditors of the national central banks, as regards the external auditors of Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/the Central Bank of Ireland
Executive Summary:
Council Decision (EU) 2023/670 amends Decision 1999/70/EC regarding the external auditors of the national central banks. It approves Grant Thornton Ireland as the external auditors for Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/Central Bank of Ireland for the financial years 2023-2027, with an option to extend the mandate to the financial years 2028 and 2029. The decision was made on March 21, 2023, and takes effect upon notification.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Appointment of External Auditors:**
* Grant Thornton Ireland is approved as the external auditor for Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/Central Bank of Ireland.
* The appointment covers the financial years 2023-2027.
* There is an option to extend the mandate for the financial years 2028-2029.
* **Amendment to Previous Decision:**
* Article 1 of Decision 1999/70/EC is amended to reflect the new auditor appointment.
* Paragraph 5 of Article 1 in Decision 1999/70/EC is replaced with the new decision.
* **Effective Date:**
* The decision takes effect on the date of its notification.
Impact Analysis:
European Central Bank:
* Impact: Addressed as the recipient of this decision, ensuring awareness and implementation of the auditor change for Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/Central Bank of Ireland.
* Action Required: Ensure awareness of the decision.
Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/Central Bank of Ireland:
* Impact: Mandates a change in external auditors from Mazars to Grant Thornton Ireland for the specified financial years.
* Action Required: Coordinate the transition to Grant Thornton Ireland for the audit of the 2023 financial year and beyond.
Grant Thornton Ireland:
* Impact: Designated as the new external auditor for Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/Central Bank of Ireland for the specified period.
* Action Required: Prepare to assume the responsibilities of external auditor for Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/Central Bank of Ireland starting with the 2023 financial year.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: The political and economic union of European member states.
Council of the European Union: A component of the EU legislative branch where ministers from each national government meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.
European Central Bank: The central bank of the Eurozone, responsible for monetary policy.
Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/Central Bank of Ireland: The central bank of Ireland.
Grant Thornton Ireland: The selected external auditor for Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/Central Bank of Ireland for the financial years 2023 to 2027.
Mazars: The previous external auditor for Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/Central Bank of Ireland for the financial years 2016 to 2022.
Decision 1999/70/EC: A Council decision concerning the external auditors of the national central banks.
Brussels: The city where the decision was made.
L 84/14 EN Official Journal of the European Union 23.3.2023
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2023/670
of 21 March 2023
amending Decision 1999/70/EC concerning the external auditors of the national central banks, as
regards the external auditors of Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/the Central Bank of Ireland
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to Protocol No 4 on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank,
annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular
Article 27.1 thereof,
Having regard to the Recommendation of the European Central Bank of 15 February 2023to the Council of the European
Union on the external auditors of the Central Bank of Ireland (ECB/2023/1)(1),
Whereas:
(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and of the national central banks of the Member States whose
currency is the euro are to be audited by independent external auditors recommended by the Governing Council of
the ECB and approved by the Council of the European Union.
(2) In 2016, Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/the Central Bank of Ireland selected Mazars as its external auditors for the
financial years 2016 to 2020. On 15 November 2021, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2021/2018(2), extending
the mandate of Mazars as external auditors for Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/the Central Bank of Ireland for the
financial years 2021 to 2022.
(3) The mandate of Mazars as current external auditors of Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/the Central Bank of Ireland expires
after the audit for the financial year 2022. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial
year 2023.
(4) Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/the Central Bank of Ireland has selected Grant Thornton Ireland as its external auditors
for the financial years 2023 to 2027, with the option to extend the mandate to the financial years 2028 and 2029.
(5) The Governing Council of the ECB recommended that Grant Thornton Ireland be appointed as the external auditors
of Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/the Central Bank of Ireland for the financial years 2023 to 2027, with the option to
extend the mandate to the financial years 2028 and 2029.
(6) Following the recommendation of the Governing Council of the ECB, Council Decision 1999/70/EC(3)should be
amended accordingly,
(1) OJ C 66, 23.2.2023, p. 1.
(2) Council Decision (EU) 2021/2018 of 15 November 2021 amending Decision 1999/70/EC concerning the external auditors of the
national central banks, as regards the external auditors of Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/the Central Bank of Ireland (OJ L 413,
19.11.2021, p. 1).
(3) Council Decision 1999/70/EC of 25 January 1999 concerning the external auditors of the national central banks (OJ L 22, 29.1.1999,
p. 69).23.3.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 84/15
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
In Article 1 of Decision 1999/70/EC, paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
‘5. Grant Thornton Ireland are hereby approved as the external auditors of Banc Ceannais na hÉireann/the Central Bank
of Ireland for the financial years 2023 to 2027.’.
Article 2
This Decision shall take effect on the date of its notification.
Article 3
This Decision is addressed to the European Central Bank.
Done at Brussels, 21 March 2023.
For the Council
The President
J. ROSWALL