Dáil anger over FitzPatrick snub

SEAN FitzPatrick and others who fail to appear before Oireachtas committees are unlikely to be compelled to do so while other state agencies investigate their affairs, it emerged last night.

The former Anglo Irish Bank chairman was due before the Dáil’s Economic and Regulatory Affairs Committee yesterday, but claimed he could not do so for legal reasons.

That prompted an angry reaction from committee members and others keen to hear from Mr Fitzpatrick over his dealings at Anglo, and sparked fresh calls for new legislation that would compel people to appear before committees.

The issue of Mr FitzPatrick’s snub to the committee was not discussed at yesterday’s cabinet meeting, with a government spokesman confirming that it was a matter for the Whip.

It later emerged that the chairs of the various committees met with the chief clerk and have decided not to seek fresh powers of compellability while other state agencies are carrying out their investigations.

The chairman of the Economic and Regulatory Committee, Michael Moynihan TD, had earlier told RTÉ radio that there had been “growing disquiet” over Mr FitzPatrick’s dealings and transactions at Anglo Irish Bank.

But law lecturer at University College Dublin, John O’Dowd, said anyone who felt they were not being treated “fairly or appropriately by a committee” were likely to defend themselves in the courts even if new laws were drafted compelling them to do so.

Referring to a 1997 act, Mr O’Dowd told RTÉ’s News at One that committees or subcommittees could be given powers to compel people to attend and answer questions, but to do so would need to go before a specific subcommittee of Procedures and Privileges.