Nama to resist inquiry into sale
The finance committee of the Stormont Assembly wants to compel Nama to give evidence.
The committee is inquiring allegations made by the Independent TD Mick Wallace £7m (€10m) from the proceeds of the sale last year were earmarked for a politician in the North.
Nama and private firms involved in the sale have denied wrongdoing.
Committee chairman Daithi McKay said: “At today’s meeting of the finance committee inquiry into the sale of Nama’s northern portfolio… it was agreed to compel both Nama and the permanent secretary of the Department of Finance and Personnel to attend the inquiry.” The committee also agreed to invite US firm Pimco, which considered buying the properties, to attend. Nama sold the portfolio to US firm Cerberus.
Nama yesterday said it had nothing to add after it last week told the committee it was only accountable to bodies in the Republic.
The agency said it will “endeavour to provide written responses” subject to Nama having knowledge of matters and any legal constraints which apply.
The Department of Finance last night refused to comment on any move to compel its secretary general, Derek Moran, to attend.
Meanwhile, allegations made about the Department of Finance at the banking inquiry last week are set to be forwarded to a separate probe into deals done by IBRC, formerly Anglo Irish Bank. Fianna Fáil TD Michael McGrath said he would forward claims by Mike Aynsley, Anglo’s former CEO, that there was “political motivation” behind some challenges to asset sales and that a department official indicated at one point that Finance Minister Michael Noonan was willing to settle for a sale €100m less than a top bid offered.
