Howlin: People should not to rush to judgement about IBRC directors

Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has said he does not know why it has taken so long for issues facing the Commission of Investigation into IBRC to come to light.

Ministers are meeting this morning to hear legal advice from Attorney General Máire Whelan.

Emergency laws could be agreed by Cabinet this morning to salvage the investigation, after its chairman said he did not have the power to demand the necessary documents from the bank.

Former IBRC chairman Alan Dukes said that he has concerns over fair procedure and the good names of bank directors.

"Our concern is with fair procedure," he said.

"We don't know what the 38 transactions are, that are to be examined, nor do we know any of the other potential issues of public interest to be examined under the terms of reference of the commission might be.

"We've made one simple request, in the interests of fair procedure, and that is that we would have full and unrestricted access to any documentation relating to the matters to be examined by the Commission."

Minister Brendan Howlin said that Mr Dukes' attitude is understandable.

"If I was a director of IBRC, and had worked in good faith, taking on a difficult job, that I would want to make sure that my name is fully vindicated," he said.

"And that's what a tribunal of inquiry does. That's why I would ask people not to rush to judgement, including the media."