Serious questions remain over Government handling of IBRC inquiry – FF

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Finance Michael McGrath TD says the Government has failed to adequately address serious questions regarding its handling of the IBRC inquiry.

Deputy McGrath made the comments after it was revealed that the Department of Finance wrote to Judge Cregan to express concerns as early as August 24th last. Last week the Taoiseach claimed the Government was unaware of the difficulties facing the inquiry until November.

“We are a full week on since the sensational revelation that the IBRC inquiry is on the verge of collapse. However the Government is yet to adequately address the serious questions that have arisen over the last week,” said Deputy McGrath.

“The Taoiseach this week claimed in the Dáil that neither the Department of Finance or his own department were aware of the legal concerns before meeting with Judge Cregan on November 5th last. However it has since been revealed that the Department of Finance wrote to Judge Cregan on August 24th to highlight legal and confidentially concerns that it had.

“It’s simply not credible for the Taoiseach to claim that the Government was unaware of the difficulties the inquiry was facing until this month. There is a growing suspicion that the Government was content with allowing the inquiry to flounder for a number of months to ensure no report would be issued in advance of the General Election.

“The Taoiseach needs to come out and state exactly when the Government expects to receive an interim report, and if it will in fact be received by the end of the year. Furthermore we need to know if legislative changes are required to get the inquiry back on track, and whether such changes will be brought before the Oireachtas before the General Election.

“It’s unacceptable that such an inquiry be allowed run into the sand with the Government hoping that the issue is kicked to touch until after the General Election,” said Deputy McGrath.