A senior economist who attended the infamous Brian Cowen-Anglo golf outing and was the only expert the then taoiseach called on the night of the guarantee has insisted he had no role in decisions about the firm.

The European Central Bank has pulled out of any involvement in the bank inquiry after public claims its comments could be used as evidence instead of an “informal exchange of views” — and private fears any participation could see it dragged before Greek politicians at a later date.

Former Anglo director Fintan Drury revealed some of his friends find it "lacking in credibility" the bank’s situation was not discussed with then taoiseach Brian Cowen at a golf outing.

Q: Why are there concerns that the Oireachtas banking inquiry could collapse or is descending into chaos?

The most powerful civil servant during Ireland’s boom and bust has revealed the then government tried to extend the bank guarantee in 2010 because the two year cut-off point was helping to push the country into a bailout.

After a make or break fortnight which saw ousted ex-taoiseach Brian Cowen take centre stage, the banking inquiry has still to find any smoking gun for what caused the 2008 crash.

A state group set up to protect public funds was kept out of the room on guarantee night despite being completely opposed to a blanket bank protection and warning Anglo was “an accident waiting to happen” for over a year.

Brian Cowen’s appearance at the banking inquiry yesterday was more assured than last week but his testimony showed a serious lack of curiosity at times during the crisis, writes Michael Clifford.

Brian Cowen called a senior economist who took part in a golf excursion with him and Anglo Irish directors for advice on the night of the bank guarantee – the only external expert who was asked for their opinion.

Tesco directly and indirectly benefits the economy to the tune of €3.27bn a year, according to a new report.

Dungarvan Flower and Garden Club presents an autumn floral demonstration by AOIFA demonstrator, Margaret Collins at the Park Hotel, Dungarvan on Wednesday, October 1 at 8pm. Admission: non-members €10, members: €5. All welcome.

The Port of Cork’s new €100m Ringaskiddy terminal expansion plan has several key differences to the scheme which was shot down six years ago, the company insisted yesterday.

A new report finds the cost of childcare is preventing 56% of people on lower incomes from working.

The majority of appointments to state boards in the past year were made by ministers without being advertised, despite Government promises to the contrary.

Here is a timeline of some the major events in the life of the Fianna Fáil-Green coalition:

An Taoiseach Brian Cowen will go toe to toe today with rebel ministers in the fight for leadership of Fianna Fáil.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen tonight confirmed he would remain as leader of Fianna Fáil.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has said that Taoiseach Brian Cowen will make an announcement on his future as leader of Fianna Fáil later this evening.

Pressure will mount on Taoiseach Brian Cowen today to indicate whether he is to step down as leader of Fianna Fail.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen continued to consult with Fianna Fáil colleagues tonight in an effort to gauge whether he has enough support to lead the party into an election.

A no confidence vote in the Government was blocked tonight as Taoiseach Brian Cowen fought off questions over his leadership.

Senior Fianna Fáil minister Eamon O'Cuiv has said that anyone in the Cabinet who does not believe or trust in Brian Cowen should resign.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin is encouraging Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators to make their views known to the Taoiseach about his leadership, as a series of meetings between Brian Cowen and TDs takes place today and tomorrow.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen’s leadership of Fianna Fáil and the country hangs by a thread today with further revelations over his handling of Anglo Irish Bank and a senior minister signalling that the battle for the leadership is not over.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen warned opponents tonight that there was no vacancy in his office as he offered to sit down with disgruntled party colleagues over his under-fire leadership.

The economist who had drinks with the Taoiseach after his golf game with Sean Fitzpatrick has issued a statement to say the group did not discuss Anglo Irish Bank at their meeting in Druids Glen.

ANOTHER Anglo director was present at Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s controversial post-golf dinner with Seán FitzPatrick in July 2008, but Mr Cowen insists not a word was spoken about the bank’s declining fortunes.

THE ease of doing business, being an English-speaking country and the low corporation tax rate mean Ireland is still a huge attraction for foreign investment.

THE festive Christmas break prevented proper analysis of one of the most shocking and infamous scandals ever to arise in corporate Ireland.

GARDAÍ stationed at Ballybunion, Co Kerry, in the spring of 1999 have denied leaking information to the media that a convicted rapist was residing with a Dublin family who had relocated to the resort town under the rural resettlement scheme, the High Court heard yesterday.

The country’s ports add €5.5bn to the economy a year but are in dire need of substantial investment, leading consultants revealed today.

THE cost of legal, medical and professional services could fall by up to 30% with the removal of anti-competitive practices, it was claimed yesterday.

The Competition Authority is to carry out a detailed study of eight professions including the medical and legal professions to examine how they can be made more competitive.