Brian Cowen ‘ignored’ Lenihan’s guarantee concerns

Former taoiseach Brian Cowen “already had a preference” for a “broad” bank guarantee before the infamous September 29, 2008, meeting which led to the multi-billion euro deal — and overruled then finance minister Brian Lenihan’s concerns.

The claim will be made by the Department of Finance’s then secretary general Kevin Cardiff at the banking inquiry on Thursday.

In 380 pages of witness evidence leaked to the Sunday Business Post — a move some have claimed has the potential to bring down the investigation due to its legal standing — Mr Cardiff insists Mr Cowen was always in favour of the deeply divisive plan.