Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Financial Sector Reform Michael McGrath TD has called in the Dáil on the Government to urge the US authorities to revoke the visa of the former CEO of Anglo Irish Bank, David Drumm.
‘Mr. Drumm is wanted for questioning as part of a major investigation by the Gardaí and the Director of Corporate Enforcement into Anglo Irish Bank. I understand Mr. Drumm has to date refused to cooperate with the investigation. This investigation is dealing with the most serious matters and it is unacceptable that Mr. Drumm is refusing to cooperate.
‘Mr. Drumm was Head of Lending at Anglo Irish Bank between 2003 and 2005 and Chief Executive of the bank up to 2008. He was a key player in the catastrophic collapse of the bank, costing the taxpayer almost €30 billion and he needs to be held accountable in this country for his tenure at the bank.
‘I am calling on the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to raise the issue of Mr. Drumm’s US visa with US Ambassador in Ireland and the US State Department and to urge the US authorities to revoke this visa. The US authorities should be asked to revoke his visa on the basis that he is wanted in Ireland for questioning as part of the most complex investigation of its kind in the history of this State.
‘Mr. Drumm is in the US on the basis of an E-2 visa. An E-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa for people who go to the US for the purpose of developing and managing a business with which they have a vested interest. Ironically, since receiving the visa, Mr. Drumm has filed for bankruptcy in the US and Anglo has lodged papers with US Courts challenging his eligibility to hold this E-2 visa.
‘By refusing to cooperate with the Anglo investigation, David Drumm is giving the two fingers to the Irish people and the Irish authorities. Furthermore, he is using his visa to hide in the US while the Irish taxpayer is left to clean up the mess left by Anglo.
Deputy McGrath raised the matter in an adjournment debate and also with the Taoiseach during the Dáil order of business.
Responding to Deputy McGrath, Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton said he would raise the issue of the visa with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore.
