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Taoiseach criticises opposition 'hysteria' over IBRC

The Taoiseach has broken his silence over the controversy surrounding the former Anglo Irish Bank...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.11 3 Jun 2015


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Taoiseach criticises oppositio...

Taoiseach criticises opposition 'hysteria' over IBRC

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.11 3 Jun 2015


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The Taoiseach has broken his silence over the controversy surrounding the former Anglo Irish Bank by criticising the 'hysteria' from opposition members about recalling the Dáil to discuss the matter.

Enda Kenny says the plans by government for a Commission of Investigation into IBRC are 'right and proper' - and he does not regret not calling for a full inquiry when the SiteServ controversy arose in April.

He has welcomed the High Court ruling earlier this week which allows media outlets to report Catherine Murphy's comments to the Dáil about businessman Denis O'Brien's relationship with IBRC.

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But Mr Kenny hit out at the 'hysteria' from opposition TDs about recalling the Dáil.

Earlier, the opposition welcomed the plans for a Commission of Investigation into IBRC - but accused the government of an "terrible error of political judgement".

The government last night unveiled plans for an inquiry, which will examine all write-offs at IBRC worth over €10m - as well as any special interest rates which resulted in borrowers saving over €4m.

Speaking to Newstalk Lunchtime today, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin welcomed the move to establish a 'proper' commission, but raised several concerns about the way the Government has dealt with the situation to date.

He told Jonathan "it's all about political spin, and that's the point", and says he does not buy that last night's revelation that the Department of Finance had discovered key IBRC records was a 'coincidence'.

The Finance Minister Michael Noonan says he wants the new report to be completed by the end of the year.

His Cabinet colleague Mr Varadkar says he believes that timeframe is realistic - but he admits the investigation may not be finished until after the nation goes to the polls.

He told Newstalk Breakfast this Commission of Investigation is not a u-turn by government.

Meanwhile the sale of SiteServ by the former Anglo Irish Bank cost the state almost €20m more than previously thought.

New documents published by the Department of Finance show the sale by IBRC - to Denis O'Brien's Millington firm - resulted in the bank writing off debts of €119m.

That is higher than the €100m in write-offs previously reported.

The documents were published last night by Mr Noonan, who had said he did not have them - but is now correcting the Dáil record after they were discovered in his department last week.

Mr Noonan says he regrets the mistake, but says it has nothing to do with the decision to set up a full Commission of Investigation into IBRC.

"It's not connected to the decision to have the commission of the inquiry, it's a different piece of information," he said.

"I'm sorry it happened but sometimes there are factual errors in information given and the process is to correct them as soon as possible."

Minister Noonan says it is a simple misunderstanding - and that none of the senior officials in the Department have any memory of seeing them before.


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