Enda Kenny accused of ‘stonewalling’ on IBRC issue

Enda Kenny was yesterday accused of “stonewalling” over claims the Government knew — months before last weekend’s announcement — that a State investigation into IBRC, Siteserv and other matters was at risk of collapsing.

Mr Kenny repeatedly side-stepped the questions from the opposition during a heated Dáil leaders’ question debate.

It also emerged the Department of Finance is refusing to hand over “confidential” records and questions over whether anyone has “threatened legal action” if the inquiry continues.

In a similar fashion, the IBRC’s special liquidators KPMG has also refused to cooperate.

On Sunday, the Department of the Taoiseach confirmed the investigation chairman Judge Brian Cregan had written to Mr Kenny on Friday saying he cannot draw up a report of any substance, as he has not been given adequate powers to investigate the crisis.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy used the Dáil leaders’ debate to address the revelations and insisted it was “not credible” that the concerns had not been raised before now.

Mr Martin said to the Taoiseach: “You are saying to me, categorically, that no officials were aware of this issue prior to this week.” He said the crisis within the inquiry was “a litany of incompetence at best, maybe a bit of convenience as well”.

Mr Adams accused Mr Kenny of “stonewalling” on the issue, and that “your claim Government only found out on Friday doesn’t have any credibility” given the fact government spokespeople dismissed the lack of powers concerns when asked by journalists in August and September.

Mr Adams reminded the Mr Kenny: “You’re the Taoiseach who promised a democratic revolution” but “every time there is a conflict... you have taken the side of the golden circles”.

He said the Department of Finance clearly knew there was a problem with the inquiry’s powers and asked: “Why you did not act until today?” — five months after the investigation was launched. Deputy Murphy asked: “When was the first time you knew?”

Ms Murphy, whose year-long pursuit of the IBRC controversy led to the State investigation, said she was concerned “the privileged are bailed out” but the taxpayers “don’t know where the assets are disposed” due to a “circle of confidentiality”. She is asking if “any individuals involved have threatened legal action” if the inquiry continued.

However, despite the united opposition front, Mr Kenny failed to provide any answers.

The Taoiseach confirmed the Government has published Mr Cregan’s letter outlining his power restriction concerns and a 77-page document underlying the reasons why, with an interim report on his work to date due to go before Cabinet next week at which point a decision will be made on what action to take.

Mr Kenny told Mr Adams: “I don’t deal in speculation” and added: “I note you’ve been moving in some golden circles yourself as well of late.”

However, Mr Martin warned: “You were dragged kicking and screaming, and you are empty-handed in doing anything about it.”