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.

Former Anglo Irish directors have contradicted bank inquiry evidence given by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his predecessor, Brian Cowen, about two key events in the lead-up to the economic crash.

With conservation metering off the agenda this decade and those who didn’t pay for water probably receiving €100 for the privilege, the credibility of those we have put in charge of the country has taken another hit, writes Shaun Connolly

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.

The banking inquiry is to seek further legal advice on whether it can publish a statement by former Anglo boss David Drumm after the Director of Public Prosecutions objected to the evidence being made public.

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

The banking inquiry is to decide on Monday whether to allow former Anglo chief executive David Drumm to give evidence from the US by video link next Wednesday to get around legal issues with his return to Ireland.

All but one of the Anglo Irish officials central to the economic crash are set to escape any public banking inquiry grilling over their role in the financial scandal.

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.

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.

Brian Cowen attended a private Anglo Irish function a month after the St Patrick’s Day 2008 Irish stock exchange crisis and a fortnight before becoming taoiseach, but insisted he was never lobbied for a bank guarantee.

The fleet of flashy sports cars and SUVs parked adjacent to the lush Carton House sports pitches give the impression Ireland’s Rugby elite are in camp at their training base.

Anecdotal evidence that the IRFU has shown greater urgency in tying its top players up to new contracts was given a concrete footing yesterday with the confirmation that an offer has already been made to Jamie Heaslip.

The family of bankrupt businessman Seán Quinn plans to sue the former Anglo Irish Bank CEO David Drumm and 10 other former Anglo directors.

The French Rugby Federation is on a collision course with clubs from the Aviva Premiership and Top 14 as the dispute over the future of the Heineken Cup continued to escalate.

The transfer of Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton to Racing Metro has acquainted Irish fans of the oval ball with a fact of life: A new breed of owner now holds sway in French rugby and they will allow little to get in their way.

Jonathan Sexton’s move to French moneybags Racing Metro, bankrolled by Jacky Lorenzetti, may have come as a surprise to some, but there is method to the madness.

GAA President Christy Cooney has expressed his confidence the proposed five-year recognition protocol deal between the Association and the GPA will be given the green light by counties over the coming three weeks.

OUTSIDE Donal O’Neill’s office in Malta, the winter sun sparkles. His CBN online gaming company is booming. He’s out the doors busy. Life’s good. Again.

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.

BRIAN COWEN admitted having a wide-ranging economic discussion with three senior Anglo figures after his golf outing with Seán FitzPatrick — but insisted the perilous state of the bank’s finances were never mentioned.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has tonight issued a statement over his meetings with Seán Fitzpatrick insisting that suggestions he acted inappropriately are utterly without foundation.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was under increasing pressure today to explain previously private meetings with disgraced former Anglo-Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick.

ECONOMIC treason was the charge thrown at Taoiseach Brian Cowen by the opposition who said he only saved Anglo Irish Bank to protect friends of Fianna Fáil.

FIVE non-executive directors announced their resignation from the board of Anglo Irish Bank yesterday, ahead of the Government’s expected formal takeover of the lender later this week.

Cork City’s new CEO Pat Kenny today shot down any suggestion club owners Arkaga are preparing to off-load their interest in the club.

Hopes of an All-Ireland soccer league were dealt a fatal blow when the IFA refused to enter talks, the FAI said tonight.

FORMER Republic of Ireland international and Millwall striker Richard Sadlier has been appointed to the new board of directors of Saint Patrick’s Athletic.

The ISEQ-index of Irish shares received a welcome boost this morning as betting group Paddy Power announced an 'exceptional' start to 2007 and predicted an operating profit of €58m for the full year.

Paddy Power has announced that it expects an operating profit of €58m for 2007 in what has been described as "an exceptionally favourable run of sporting results for the company".

PADDY Power director Breon Corcoran is in line for a bonus of up to €2.5 million in 2009.

Paddy Power has announced a 25% rise in turnover for the year up to May 9.

KERRY Group’s top executives pocketed over €5 million last year, the company’s annual report reveals.

BRIAN KERR'S agent has predicted that Steve Staunton will prove to be a highly successful manager with the Republic of Ireland but has called on the FAI to give the Drogheda man more time and support than was offered to his client.

AT least one woman who plays Gaelic games as well as international football for Ireland was asked by members of the GAA to sign a contract that would bar them from playing soccer, according to Noel King.

RTÉ will be established as a company under broadcasting legislation to be published later this year.

Public relations guru Mary Finan was today appointed by the Government as chairperson of the RTE Authority.

ANY chance that Fintan Drury’s honourable resignation as chairman of the RTÉ Authority will set an example for Government ministers, senior civil servants and other officials?

PLATINUM One, the sports management business run by former RTÉ authority chairman Fintan Drury, has snapped up the sponsorship company owned by former Scottish rugby international Gavin Hastings.

The chairman of the RTE Authority has resigned due to a potential conflict of interest over his role as an advisor to the Ryder Cup and the European Tour.

FORMER Irish rugby international Tom Grace has been appointed to the board of Paddy Power. He joins the company as a non-executive director with immediate effect.

The Board of Paddy Power has announced the appointment of Tom Grace as a non-executive director of the Company with immediate effect.

FORMER Republic of Ireland coach Brian Kerr has applied for the vacant post as coach of South Africa.

Former Republic of Ireland coach Brian Kerr has applied for the vacant post as coach of South Africa.

TIARNAN O'MAHONEY walked away from Anglo Irish Bank with a near €4 million pay-off.

AFTER 33 games in 33 months, Brian Kerr’s career as manager of the Republic of Ireland officially came to a halt last night, when FAI chief John Delaney announced that the search for a new Irish manager would begin today.

IF Ireland fail to get three points at Lansdowne Road tomorrow night, many will wonder why we were so caught up in the idea of rearranging deck chairs while the Titanic was sinking.

THE big games against France in Paris and Dublin notwithstanding, at no stage in the Group 4 campaign so far have the stakes been higher for the Republic of Ireland than they will be this evening, here in Cyprus, where anything less than victory will almost certainly signal the end of the national team’s interest in next summer’s World Cup.