Call to probe cross-border Nama claims

There have been further calls for a cross-border inquiry into Nama’s property portfolio sale in the North, following fresh revelations by the BBC.

Oireachtas committee chairman John McGuinness wants administrations north and south to meet and agree powers for an inquiry to investigate Project Eagle.

The demand came after BBC’s Spotlight programme, this week, aired an undercover recording of a former Nama advisor accepting €50,000 in a car park from a property developer.

Businessman Frank Cushnahan was recorded in 2012 accepting the cash payment from Co Down property developer John Miskelly during a meeting in a hospital car park.

Both men deny any wrongdoing. According to what Mr Cushnahan says in the recording, he was to help Mr Miskelly with a deal to get his assets out of Nama. Mr Cushnahan was heard to say he could influence a senior Nama official.

Mr Miskelly can be heard saying: “There’s forty thousand in that, and it’s in bundles of two, Frank.”

Mr McGuinness yesterday said he wanted Nama to now appear before the finance committee and address the fresh claims. There was already existing concern Irish taxpayers did not get the best value for money with Project Eagle and the sale of the northern portfolio, he said.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin called on the Taoiseach to meet all party leaders and decide on what to do.