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Fianna Fáil TD Michael McGrath speaking in the Dáil this afternoon

“Fianna Fáil has been consistent in asking that all aspects of the Project Eagle sale be thoroughly examined and investigated. Last October, I moved a motion, on behalf of Fianna Fáil, calling for a Commission of Investigation under the terms of the 2004 Act. We called for this on the basis that the allegations were of such a serious nature, the public would demand nothing less than a comprehensive inquiry which would get to the truth and be able to make clear findings in relation to any wrongdoing on the part of individuals…”

“…In its evidence before the committee of public accounts, and in its public commentary on Project Eagle, Nama has argued consistently that no issue has arisen regarding the sale side of this transaction but, as I said last October, that is not an adequate answer. Ultimately, the decision to proceed with the sale of Project Eagle was made by Nama in Dublin and Nama must account for the entirety of that transaction.”

“Based on information and allegations currently in the public domain, surrounding Project Eagle, a Commission of Investigation is warranted. That remains the Fianna Fáil view. The question is whether a Commission would stand any chance of success, running in parallel with a criminal investigation that is clearly gathering pace.”

Our honest assessment is that a Commission of Investigation, established in the Republic now, in the heat of an accelerating criminal investigation in the North would most likely run into the sand very quickly. This would serve no purpose. Do we really think that key people involved in this transaction, living in Northern Ireland, would voluntarily cooperate with a Commission of Investigation in the Republic while arrests are being made in the North?”

“Almost a year ago the UK’s National Crime Agency commenced an investigation into Project Eagle. For a long time there were no updates on this investigation. Then, just last month, two arrests were made in Northern Ireland and the persons concerned have already been named in this house and have been again today – as Frank Cushnahan, former member of the Nama northern Ireland advisory committee and Ronnie Hanna, who was head of asset recovery at Nama during the Project Eagle sale.”

“Reports indicate that this presents a significant change in pace in the investigation. Both men are of course entitled to the presumption of innocence. It is not known if further arrests are planned but let there be no doubt about it. Those arrests represented a very significant development and followed searches in Co Down and the men concerned have been released on bail and it is part of a fraud investigation. Those are the facts that we know.”

There you go now.

Readers may wish to recall how the Irish News named Frank Cushnhan and Ronnie Hanna as the two men arrested on June 2 while Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin called for a Commission of Investigation as recently as June 15.

More to follow.

Earlier: Parties In Motion

Previously: ‘Something Rotten In The State Of Denmark’

UPDATE:

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Independents 4 Change TD Mick Wallace in the Dáil this evening

If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to get to the truth of this and I’m going to expose what’s going on. We’re setting up an organisation called Namaleaks.ie. We’ve got help from the people who fixed up Snowden, The Intercept and we’re going to invite members of the public to come forward with information where they feel they’ve been badly treated by Nama, banks or investment funds.”

“We’re inviting insiders with information, we’ll have 100% confidentiality, to come send us documents that are truthful, in order to address this rotten, rottenness that exists in how we do business in this country. How they do business in northern Ireland.”

“You know what? They’re no worse up there than we are down here. There’s a pair of us in it. And our credibility and international level is going to suffer unless youse actually have the gumption and the balls to actually go after the truth. Cause you’re not showing any of it at the moment. And I’m really gutted that Fianna Fáil are not showing it either.

Independents 4 Change TD Mick Wallace speaking in the Dáil this afternoon.

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9 thoughts on “Screech

  1. Liam Deliverance

    ” “The question is whether a Commission would stand any chance of success, running in parallel with a criminal investigation that is clearly gathering pace.”

    “Our honest assessment is that a Commission of Investigation, established in the Republic now, in the heat of an accelerating criminal investigation in the North would most likely run into the sand very quickly” ”

    So initiate a criminal investigation in the republic then ? No?

  2. Anne

    https://www.facebook.com/wallacemick/videos/966885020099682/

    Good response from Mick on McGrath –

    Just to go back to Fine Fail, which I just cannot believe their change of position on this.

    Anyone that reads their amendment and sees their excuse for not looking for a commission of investigation now. They’re saying now that it will need..they want all investigations completed before we have one.

    Well, first of all, NAMA are not being investigated by anybody at the moment.

    Secondly, what NCA are at in Northern Ireland or Security and Exchange in America, they’re in different jurisdictions. They would not interfere one iota if we had a commission of investigation.. it would not interfere one iota with theirs.

    I just want to quote deputy McGrath on 21st of October 2015. Here’s what he said, “I am more convinced than ever, that a full commission of investigation into Project Eagle is required.” He said, “the committee (PAC – public accounts committee) cannot get to the bottom of this issue because it can only go so far. A full statutory commission of investigation with extensive powers is required.”

    He then said, “the government is hiding behind the comptroller and auditor general’s value for money review with Project Eagle. The purpose of which is to ascertain whether the transaction delivered value for money. ”

    Now I’ve checked on the legal advise side of it right.. I’m told, that all investigations will not be completed for at least 3 years.
    So are we going to postpone doing anything that’s gone on in Dublin for at least 3 years? Is this serving the Irish public properly? Well, Baldy, is it? Are you with us Baldy? Someone poke him there lads to see if he’s still with us
    I just made that last bit up..Although he did look very bored in fairness.

  3. Domestos

    “We’ve got help from the people who fixed up Snowden”. Maybe he means Assange.

    1. Anne

      I don’t imagine Mick would blend in easily with the locals in Russia.. I think he means the journalists.

  4. Truth in the News

    Remember the savaging Wallace got over a tax issue, and compare the relaxed
    view of those in power over the loss of billions courtesy of Nama, it stinks.

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