Charlie McCreevy Quotations

No-one contests the need to address the high cost of and the corresponding difficulty of having access to cross-border clearing and settlement in the EU. We have not yet reached any definitive view on the precise measures we would propose to remedy this situation. It is clear, though, that the present system is untenable. Changes are going to have to be made. We believe the industry recognizes this as well and we would encourage them to be a part of the solution and not the problem." ()

I would like to welcome the vote reached today in the European Parliament. I know that this has been the subject of a lively and vigorous debate.

One can stay within the legal rules, but not completely comply with the spirit," ()

I am a firm believer in the benefits of open markets and the free movement of capital.

This will not be allowed, because it would spell the end of the free market as we know it," ()

France knows how to work the system. But countries shouldn't come to Brussels and sign up to the internal market and then do the opposite. It is hypocritical." ()

I think that we will have to initiate measures against Spain. I and my colleagues in the ... commission will use every tool in the box to tackle member states who dream up new protectionist means or who seek to erect unjustified barriers to prevent cross-border deals." ()

I think that we will have to initiate measures against Spain." ()

It's obvious that even from the very start they were a great success. The purpose behind them was to encourage people to save and it has done that." ()

You could make the case that this is part of a big battle, which is going to get worse." ()