Former Northern Ireland first minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson and two witnesses vital to an investigation into the controversial Project Eagle deal have formally refused to face public questioning.

Three senior Nama board members have rejected claims the State property group made any attempts to help a US investment firm stay in the Project Eagle bidding process after fixers’ fee concerns were raised.

Nama is preparing to sell real estate loans with a face value of more than €300m as demand for property rises, three people with knowledge of the plan said.

Nama is seeking to recruit a full-time chief financial officer as part of a reorganisation of functions that will also involve a reshuffle of several senior executive roles.

NAMA has distanced itself from its perceived role as a “toxic bank” saying it has no interest in “hoarding assets longer than necessary”.

The Government has filled four senior roles within the National Asset Management Agency as the State's bad bank prepares to take receipt of the first loans from financial institutions.