Fine Gael think-in: Noonan dismisses Nama probe talk

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has appeared to pour cold water on suggestions a government investigation into the Nama Project Eagle controversy is set to be established, despite concerns taxpayers lost out on hundreds of millions of euro.

He downplayed ongoing calls for a state inquiry to be set up yesterday, saying a still unpublished Comptroller and Auditor General report has not found any sign of illegal activity and that he wants its findings to be examined by a cross-party Dáil group before making any decision on the matter.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin repeated his call for a full investigation into the issue due to the “shocking revelations” in last week’s BBC Spotlight programme which appeared to show former Nama official Frank Cushnahan receive £40,000 from a Co Down developer.