PAC TDs used as ‘patsies’ for probe into Project Eagle

The Government has been accused of using a powerful Dáil committee as “patsies” after it emerged that two back-room staff working on the committee’s Project Eagle report were secretly taken off the project, causing a two-month delay in its work.

Opposition TDs made the claim 24 hours after Finance Minister Michael Noonan was forced to deny that he is “rowing back” on a commission of investigation into the scandal.

Under plans agreed by Dáil parties last autumn, Taoiseach Enda Kenny committed to setting up a commission of investigation into serious financial concerns surrounding Nama’s Northern Ireland Project Eagle deal. The concerns specifically focussed on alleged corruption surrounding the multi-billion euro deal, and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s conclusion last autumn that taxpayers lost €220m due to the sale.