Kenny faces pressure to release files

Pressure was piled on Enda Kenny last night to release files in his department about the night of the bank guarantee after he originally claimed that none existed.

The Taoiseach’s officials moved to dismiss accusations he made false claims that “no file” existed in his department about the controversial guarantee.

A Freedom of Information (FoI) request submitted by Fianna Fáil shows a total of 17 files about the Sept 30, 2008, guarantee exist in his department.

Many of these relate to memos, notes, and minutes of meetings on the day and night the State agreed to guarantee €440bn in bank deposits and liabilities.

Mr Kenny told the Dáil in June that no files existed in his department.

But officials are blocking the release of most of the files under FoI rules.

The documents include points for finance minister for cabinet — dated Sept 28, 2008, two days before the guarantee was signed.

There is also a list of the ministers for the incorporeal meeting arranged by phone, draft bank bills written on the day, and further notes and minutes of discussion at government on Sept 30.

Further documents which may pertain to a second cabinet meeting held later that same morning include a handwritten note for the then-secretary general and then-taoiseach’s use, drafts of the bank bill, further memos for government, and notes of discussion at government.

There is also a file with extracts from minutes of government meeting and an email from the Attorney General’s office to the government.

Mr Kenny’s officials said he had later said there was “no written record” on meetings with bank chiefs ahead of the guarantee.

A statement added: “The Taoiseach has twice clarified in the House that his remarks were intended to highlight the remarkably small volume of documentation held in his Department from the night of the bank guarantee. He reiterated that there is no documentary evidence concerning discussions or the rationale that resulted in the incorporeal decision being made in the manner it was.”

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin said it was clear Mr Kenny’s original remarks to the Dáil about “no file” existing were “false”.

“The Irish policy response to the crisis has already been the subject of three independent investigations and will be scrutinised again by the Oireachtas if the Government can put aside party political considerations and get on with it,” he said.

John McGuinness, head of the Public Accounts Committee, said he would pursue access to the files.