Peter Robinson declines to appear before PAC

Former Northern Ireland first minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson and two witnesses vital to an investigation into the controversial Project Eagle deal have formally refused to face public questioning.

Mr Robinson confirmed the situation in a letter to the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), while also saying he was “flatly contradicting” previous claims and accusing Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness of misleading the group.

Since beginning its examination of the Project Eagle deal in response to revelations the sale of Northern Ireland assets held by Nama in 2014 may have cost the Irish taxpayer €190m, the PAC has repeatedly sought to meet Mr Robinson. This is because of the need to explain alleged links with former Nama Northern Ireland advisor Frank Cushnahan, who was due to receive a €5m success fee from one bidder; unexplained meetings with firms, and allegations he kept politicians in the dark over what was happening.