Ex-taoisigh ‘will appear at bank inquiry’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny expects taoisigh will appear before the long-awaited Oireachtas banking inquiry, which is expected to begin hearings in advance of next year’s European and local elections.

“I don’t think there will be any reluctance on any of my predecessors in the office to give [evidence] at the hearing of the banking inquiry,” he said.

Former taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen are expected to be requested to give evidence and explain their roles in the run up to the €440bn bank guarantee of September 2008.