Kenny: I'll ask Draghi to attend Banking Inquiry

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that he will ask Mario Draghi to attend the banking inquiry - but cannot force him to do so.

His comments come after the President of the European Central Bank told the inquiry he would not be appearing as a witness.

Sinn Féin's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald accused the Taoiseach in the Dáil of being "a crawler" on the issue, adding the ECB had given a calculated two fingers to the Irish people.

Enda Kenny told Mary Lou McDonald he has not asked Mario Draghi to attend the inquiry, but will do so.

"The ECB's snub to the banking Inquiry is not just entirely unacceptable, it is a calculated insult," she said.

"Mario Draghi has given two fingers to the members of Inquiry, to this Oireachtas, and to the Irish citizens."

The Taoiseach responded: "I understand that the European Central Bank are not obliged to attend here.

"My view is that it would be appropriate that they should, but I cannot force Mr Draghi to attend."

He added later: "I consider very strongly that he should attend at the Banking inquiry, and I will speak to him tomorrow about that

"But, as I’ve pointed out, I can’t obviously force him to attend here.

"But I’ll make the view very clearly that we would like him here in Ireland to attend the Banking Inquiry."