Updated 13.00

There is criticism of the European Central Bank after it again refused to release a copy of the letter which is said to have forced Ireland into a bailout.

The bank's governors are refusing to issue a copy of the letter written by Jean-Claude Trichet to Brian Lenihan in November 2010.

The decision has been criticised by the European Ombudsman who says she is unconvinced by the ECB's explanation.

Emily O'Reilly says none of the reasons which could have applied when an initial request to release the document three years ago was turned down apply now.

Speaking to Newstalk's Lunchtime, European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly said citizens who have had to bear the brunt of austerity measures have a right to clarity about what is being done in their name and government's decision-making:

It is alleged that Mr Trichet threatened to pull funding from Ireland's banks unless the government accepted a bailout.

Ms O'Reilly says she regrets the ECB's decision, taken following a request for the letter from an Irish journalist, who suspected the ECB of putting pressure on Ireland. "At a time when so many people have been, and are, suffering as a result of austerity arising from the economic crisis, the very least a citizen can expect is openness and transparency from those who make decisions that directly impact on their lives and on the lives of their families. Following an inspection of the letter, I am unconvinced by the Governing Council's explanation for continuing to keep it secret."

In a statement today, the Ombudsman has said that after she inspected the letter, she concluded that the ECB had been right to refuse access to the document at the time of the request for access. However, as more than three years have passed since the letter was sent, she proposed that the ECB now disclose the letter in order to underline its commitment to transparency.