Perry reaches deal with bank over €2.47m debts
The Fine Gael minister responsible for small firms had until yesterday to sort out his situation with Danske Bank.
After the debts were made public in the Commercial Court early in the summer, opposition parties warned the matter raised serious questions over Mr Perry’s suitability for ministerial office.
A statement issued on Mr Perry’s behalf through a PR firm insisted the agreement was confidential. “Mr Perry has confirmed that all his tax affairs have been and remain up to date,” it said.
Court papers said Mr Perry had told Danske Bank that Bank of Ireland had agreed to give him a 10-year loan to deal with tax arrears of €125,000.
Mr Perry said he would be making no further comment on the matter.
But Fianna Fáil finance spokesperson, Michael McGrath, who has called on the minister to resign, insisted he must make a full public statement.
“Many people in debt will be scratching their heads at how someone can achieve this sort of deal. We need to know if there were any write-downs involved, and if Mr Perry approached any bailed-out banks to help.
“He also needs to clear up apparent contradictory statements regarding his tax situation,” Mr McGrath said.
Mr Perry and his wife Marie consented to a judgment at the Commercial Court for the loans of €2.47m against them.
A six-week stay on the issue was granted by Mr Justice Peter Kelly and that expired yesterday.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fine Gael refused to comment on the issue.
However, privately, a number of Fine Gael TDs expressed concern that he would be able to remain in his post dealing with bank lending policies to industry, even if he did sort out his debt situation.
Ministerial colleagues in both coalition parties put on a public display of unity with Mr Perry, with some even stressing that his personal situation made him better equipped to understand the pressure on small businesses.
