Bertie Ahern faces questioning over knowledge of collapse

The Oireachtas banking inquiry will tomorrow question former taoiseach Bertie Ahern on whether he knew Ireland’s banks were facing economic collapse before the May 2007 general election and his resignation one year later.

The issue is expected to be raised at the long-awaited crunch meeting, despite reports Mr Ahern will claim he left the country in a strong position when he resigned and did nothing wrong.

In previous evidence to the inquiry, former Department of Finance secretary general Kevin Cardiff confirmed government set up a “secret” group to examine a bank guarantee as early as autumn 2007.