PAC cannot probe officials over loss of IBRC minutes

The Dáil Public Accounts Committee has been blocked from questioning Department of Finance officials over how they lost IBRC board meeting minutes in a move described as a “wet blanket” to smother debate.

Oireachtas legal experts made the decision after two hours of advice given to the committee yesterday.

The PAC had been due to question senior Department of Finance officials about last week’s revelations that seemingly lost IBRC board minutes were “miraculously” found as Finance Minister Michael Noonan launched a commission of investigation into the bank.

In addition, the PAC was due to ask if other board minutes relating to the Siteserv sale have been “misplaced”. The meeting was planned to allow officials to correct the record and apologise for providing incorrect information at a previous hearing, mirroring a move by Mr Noonan in the Dáil on Tuesday.

However, the PAC was told it cannot debate anything to do with IBRC as the matters fall under the commission of investigation.

PAC chair John McGuinness, who during a Dáil debate on Tuesday about the commission of investigation’s terms of reference insisted it should not impact on wider discussion, said the decision was a “wet blanket” to smother debate.

Labour TD Joe Costello was equally critical. “The area of questioning was not related to financial transactions but to governance within the department, how it lost minutes and miraculously found them again. I find it difficult to see how it infringes.”

Meanwhile, Enda Kenny has rejected claims he is “too close” to businessman Denis O Brien, saying he has a “very clear” view Government must work with businesses “to open doors” for jobs in this country.

He said “there is no association with the party I lead and business people”, and that any links are solely about “increasing our competitiveness” in the jobs market.