The National Assets Mangement Agency (NAMA) says the Garda Commissioner has agreed to investigate new claims about the agency made by Mick Wallace.
The Independent TD today used Dáil privilege to claim a construction company that wanted to exit NAMA paid €15,000 to someone linked to the agency, "in a bag", twice, to do so.
He has also alleged that barristers, judges, solicitors, accountancy firm partners and bankers are in syndicates that have transferred to NAMA but have not been enforced.
NAMA says Deputy Wallace has not provided any evidence to back up his claims, but that CEO Brendan McDonagh wrote to Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan to request an investigation.
Meanwhile Deputy Wallace has been asked to discuss his claims with the Public Accounts Committee.
Dublin Central TD Joe Costello says that would be a more appropriate venue to examine the issues:
Deputy Wallace alleged under Dáil privilege that, “I know of a construction company Taoiseach who wanted exit out of NAMA so they asked the manager of the portfolio can this happen, and he says ‘yeh, but it’ll cost you 15,000 in cash and I want it in a bag.’”
Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett interrupted and said to Mr Wallace: “Can I ask that you give them to the Garda Síochána because they can’t be substantiated here.”
Mr Wallace continued:
“They delivered the money and a few weeks later he demanded the same again. They duly obliged and all was sorted.”
“A small window into the workings of NAMA,” Mr Wallace said.
“Are you happy Taoiseach, with the workings of this secret society?” he asked.
A spokesperson for the agency said: “The allegation, if not investigated as a matter of urgency, casts a shadow over all NAMA officers and, accordingly, we will ask that the Deputy’s allegation, including any evidence that he may claim to possess, be investigated as a matter of urgency.”
Mr Wallace has also claimed that the agency knew of money being transferred to an Isle of Man bank account by the purchaser of its Northern Ireland properties as far back as last January - a claim NAMA denies.
