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Yesterday, Independent TD Mick Wallace told the Dáil that he knew of a NAMA portfolio manager who sought a bribe of two installments of €15,000 cash “in a bag” from one of its debtors – to allow the debtor exit NAMA.

This morning, Mr Wallace spoke with Gavin Jennings, on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

During the interview, Mr Jennings read a letter that Brendan McDonagh, the CEO of NAMA, had written to the Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan, in light of Mr Wallace’s claims.

The letter said:

“It’s my understanding that, under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act 2011, any party with evidence of criminal wrongdoing is legally obliged to bring such evidence to the attention of An Garda Siochana. In the event that the deputy [Wallace] is aware of such evidence and has not brought it to the attention of An Garda Siochana, it’s my understanding that this is a breach of Section 19.”

Mr Wallace told Mr Jennings that he found it “interesting that NAMA would like to shoot the messenger”. He also said he would be willing to speak to the gardaí – and name names.

Meanwhile…

Here is what Mr Wallace said in the Dáil yesterday…

Mick Wallace: “Yesterday, the Taoiseach said the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Committee of Public Accounts are the agencies in this jurisdiction for dealing with issues concerning the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA. We both know neither of them have the potential to fully hold NAMA to account. The legislation regarding the Comptroller and Auditor General does not allow for ongoing, intrusive oversight and monitoring and lacks asset management oversight functions. There are many concerns around the workings of NAMA.”

“Cerberus expects to make a large fortune from the purchase of Project Eagle. The £7 million that ended up in an Isle of Man bank account will begin to look like small change. The big loser, though, is the Irish taxpayer in the South. NAMA says the sale of Project Eagle was lawful, but was the purchase lawful? I would have thought that a Fine Gael Government would have a bit more concern about slush moneys for fixers. I doubt the Taoiseach has heard the last of Project Eagle.”

“Does the Taoiseach know how many barristers, judges, solicitors, top-four accountancy firm partners and bankers are in syndicates which have been set up by Goodbody Stockbrokers, Anglo Private, Bank of Ireland Private, AIB Private, Davy, Warren and Quinlan which have transferred to NAMA but which NAMA has not enforced, despite personal guarantees being attached? NAMA is responsible for some people being tossed out of their homes, but it looks like some of the great and good of Irish society are blessed with NAMA’s goodwill.”

“What role did a former Secretary General of the Department of Finance, John Moran, play in NAMA’s handling of the Coroin group’s portfolio? This gentleman remarked at one stage that the number of home repossessions in Ireland was unnaturally low. It would appear he was unnaturally interested in playing a significant role in the outcome of the Coroin group’s portfolio.”

“All is not well. I know of a construction company, Taoiseach, which wanted to exit out of NAMA, so it asked the manager of its portfolio if it could happen and he said, “Yes, but it will cost you €15,000 in cash and I want it in a bag”.”

An Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett: “Sorry, Deputy. If you have these sorts of charges, can I suggest you give them to An Garda Síochána because they cannot be substantiated here?”

Eric J. Byrne: “The Deputy should go before the Committee of Public Accounts with this information. He is grandstanding here.”

Wallace: “A few weeks later, they delivered the money. A few weeks later he demanded the same again. They duly obliged and all was sorted – a small window into the workings of NAMA. Is the Taoiseach still happy with the workings of this secret society?”

Enda Kenny: “The Deputy has made a number of comments and allegations here regarding people working in different sectors, including members of the Judiciary. He made comments in respect of a former Secretary General of the Department of Finance, as well as comments generally in respect of NAMA.”

“Let me repeat again for him. The process of accountability and transparency in this jurisdiction in respect of NAMA is the Committee of Public Accounts in the Oireachtas, chaired by a Member of this House. Personnel from the Comptroller and Auditor General’s office work with NAMA and have access to all the papers and documents relevant to any of these transactions.”

“I would suggest that, as a public representative, the Deputy has a facility where questions can follow his allegations. He should go to Deputy [John] McGuinness’s committee, the Committee of Public Accounts, a committee of long-standing integrity in this House. The Deputy can make his claims, ask his questions. The Chairman of the committee, with his members, is entitled to call in personnel in respect of the issues the Deputy raised.”

“The Deputy has made some serious claims here. I do not have the detailed responses to them. The Committee of Public Accounts is the authorised independent entity in the Oireachtas for accountability and transparency in respect of NAMA. I suggest to Deputy Wallace that in the interest of public accountability and transparency, he goes to the committee, presents his findings and facts – if facts they are – and allow the Chairman and his committee to do their work in the interests of their political responsibility here.”

Wallace: “I can only come to the conclusion that the Taoiseach does not seem awfully interested in getting to the truth. There is a stark contrast between how Northern Ireland is dealing with this and how the Government is dealing with it.”

Creed: “The committee is in the North.”

Wallace: “Can the Taoiseach tell me why did Mr. Frank Daly tell the Committee of Public Accounts that he did not know about the alleged £7 million in the Isle of Man bank account until I mentioned it? I know for a fact that NAMA—–”

Barrett: “I am sorry, but this is Leaders’ Questions.”

Wallace: “—–knew this last January. What did it do about it? Did it tell the Minister for Finance or did it bury it with the rest of it? Mr. Coulter has denied the involvement of a politician. Well, he would, would he not? I decided to contact my sources this morning and ask them to what degree of certainty they could stand over the involvement of a particular politician. Their reply was, “Is 100% enough?”. The Taoiseach has serious problems. Does he want answers to them? Do not bother asking me, Taoiseach, to go to the Garda—–”

Barrett: “Sorry, but this is no way to be dealing with such a serious issue. The Deputy cannot use the Chamber as a Star Chamber where no evidence is presented. The Deputy is affecting people’s reputations here. He has not presented any solid facts.”

Transcript via Oireachtas.ie

Listen to Mr Wallace’s interview on Morning Ireland here

lecool

By Dublin-based photographer Malcolm McGettigan, whose pugilistic exhibition, Form, opens tonight at InSpire Galerie, Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin as part of PhotoIreland festival.

Malcolm sez,

“The cover was shot at a Muay Thai event here in Dublin. The work in this series is all shot ringside. I use two cameras with two different focal lengths. Because of the fixed lighting around the ring the subjects are dramatically lit no matter where they are. That said, when you’re shooting digital, you tend to shoot an awful lot at events like these, so it can be a case of less than 1% making the cut..”

This week’s Le Cool Dublin issue

A chat with Malcolm

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Fergus Finlay and Dusty the dolphin in Inis Oirr

The Herald reports:

The former Labour adviser was swimming around Inis Oirr harbour with his daughter and two grandchildren when the dolphin, known as Dusty, head-butted him full force in the upper thighs.

The dolphin was known for erratic attacks when she was in Co Clare, and since a move to Inis Oirr last year signs have been put up around the harbour warning swimmers to be careful.
“She came straight at me and sort of rammed me with her head into what I’d politely call my upper thighs and knocked me off my feet,” Mr Finlay told the Herald.

Barnardos chief Fergus Finlay ‘lucky’ after dolphin attack in Aran Islands (The Herald)

Pic: Fergus Finlay

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Barry Corcoran

Wicklow News writes:

“The family of Barry Corcoran from Wicklow town are pleading for him to get in touch with them. If you know of his whereabouts or have seen him contact Wicklow Garda Station at 0404-60140.”

Barry is 38 years old and 5’11”. He was last seen wearing dark jeans, black Puma runners and a light blue mac.

Family plead for Barry to get in touch (Wicklow News)

Garda: Missing Persons, Barry Corcoran

gulls1gulls

‘sup?

Conor H writes:

A Common Gull nested on the roof of the Bank of Ireland on Baggott Street {Dublin 2] in May. [The] Chicks [have] hatched and are running around demolition works and crane lifts….Nobody killed.

‘supdate?

gullupdate

Conor adds:

Momma came back to vomit up breakfast- she’s very proud of her famous babies. *emoticon

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A statue called Molly Malone,
On Facebook just cannot be shown,
They reckon her chest,
Which ranks with the best,
Is something they will not condone.

John Moynes

(RollingNews.ie)

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Today marks three years of ‘A Limerick A Day’ by poet, author and comedian John Moynes (above).

On July 16, 2012, with a thoughful meditation on former Health Minister James Reilly,  John began reporting the day’s leading events through the medium of five-line anapestic meter.

While some derided John as the ‘Charlie Manson of scansion’, A Limerick A Day has gone on to become a cherished moment in the 24-hour news cycle for lovers of current affairs and poetry alike. Thank you John from everyone at the ‘sheet.

To celebrate three years of limericks why not wish John many happy returns with a birthday ‘rick?

ANYONE?

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From Left Roisin Shorthall, Catherine Murphy and Stephen Donnelly at the Social Democrats launch yesterday

The Social Democrats.

A short-lived home for popular if routinely disaffected TDs?

Dan Boyle writes:

And so we have a new political party. Formed by three of the more able members of the current Dáil it has a chance of being something different.

Against that it is starting life in much the same way as most political parties in Ireland have been established, being part of the system it wants to change.

Since the foundation of the State only Clann na Talmhan, Clann na Poblachta and The Green Party can be said to have become involved in the political system having been formed from outside of it.

Most ‘new’ political parties have been breakaways from traditional parties. Some have have been new alignments. Some of the more committed independents become frustrated at the limits an individual can do before seeking out other like minded people.

Some of the more iconoclastic members of the Dáil have flitted between both. James Dillon was elected first for the short lived National Centre Party, a brief tying together of the remnants of the old Farmers Party and the National League (itself the dying embers of the Irish Parliamentary Party that last represented Irish interests in Westminster).

The Centre Party became one of the founding components of Fine Gael, from whom Dillon would resign over the question of Irish neutrality during the Second World War. He was still independent in 1948 when he persuaded other independents to support him for cabinet membership.

With the Independent Alliance now, maybe more properly called The Committee To Make Shane Ross A Cabinet Minister, Deputy Ross is hoping that history can repeat itself. The Independent grouping in 1948 as with its Alliance counterpart now, was a fairly motley grouping.

Among Dillon’s supporters then was Oliver J. Flanagan, who while nominally an independent claimed to represent a national movement known as ‘Monetary Reform’. It seems we treated currency issues more seriously then.

The much admired Noel Browne hardly showed himself to be a model of consistency. Elected first as a Clann na Poblachta Minister he was then elected an independent TD, then as a Fianna Fáil TD. When elected again as an independent TD he formed with Jack McQuillan the National Progressive Democrats (not to be confused with).

While effective in opposition no real effort was made to build a party. One by-election was contested but only three candidates contested the 1961 election for the party. Browne and McQuillan were reelected of course, but both were soon to join the Labour Party. This was another party Browne was eventually to leave. There was one more flag for Noel Browne to wave that of the Socialist Labour Party in 1981. Of course this too would end in tears.

In positioning themselves between Labour and Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats could attract disappointed Labour votes on one side and from those who see Sinn Féin as an imperfect protest vehicle on the other. In this they seem better positioned than Renua whose placing of itself between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael doesn’t seem likely to have many spare votes available to it.

Either newly formed party should look at the template established 30 years ago with the foundation of the Progressive Democrats. It was formed by three breakaway Fianna Fáil TDs, two of whom, [Desmond] O’Malley and [Mary] Harney, could be said to be creatures of privilege. O’Malley had inherited his uncle’s seat. Harney was appointed to the Seanad directly upon finishing her university degree.

The third TD, a now almost forgotten man was perhaps the strongest reason the PDs achieved initial success. Pearse Wyse, no ideologue, he, knew the importance of winning and holding onto a vote.

Our political careers briefly crossed over. I remember being regaled at a doorstep by a supporter of his, who let me know that as a Corporation tenant, Pearse had secured not only one but two toilet seats for her. The second of which was being recycled as a picture frame.

What the moral of this pithy history is meant to be is that those led only by high minded political principles cannot of themselves bring about change. Not without the support of agnostic grafters. These are the people who are needed to sustain any new political movement.

Dan Boyle is a former Green Party Senator.

Yesterday: What We Stand For

(RollingNews.ie)

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Pat Rabbitte, former Labour leader, outside the Dáil last week

Hurlers on the ditch can usually criticise without resort to personal invective. That aside, Diarmuid Ferriter’s is a warped assessment of Labour’s performance in Government since 2011 (“Labour’s woes rooted in more than an ungrateful electorate”, Opinion & Analysis, July 11th).

So great was the crisis facing this country in the winter of 2010/11 that only a broadly based government would have held society together. I am convinced that a single-party Fine Gael government – the only viable alternative – would not have survived the first year. That first dismal year saw the new Fine Gael-Labour Government struggle to restore Irish credibility in the EU institutions, keep the troika at bay and contend with Mr Trichet’s threat if we proceeded with burden sharing – as unemployment exceeded 15 per cent. In helping to bring the country back from the brink, Labour had to take some decisions that in normal times it would never have done.

Diarmuid Ferriter would perhaps have preferred if we had spent more time speechifying, dithering and generally faffing around like the Syriza government in Greece, making the crisis even worse and inflicting greater hardship on ordinary citizens. Of course, Syriza has in its ranks more than its fair share of academics with a part-time political sideline. The problem is, as Brendan Behan noted in another context, they know how it’s done but they’re unable to do it themselves.

There is nothing either “patronising or self-pitying” about my view of the “dysfunctional” fragmentation amongst the disparate elements of the political opposition. After what we have come though, the last thing this country needs is a coalition of chaos. Compare this country’s economic health with what unfortunately has engulfed Greece. The stability that we have established and the economic growth now happening offers the prospect, for the first time since the crash, of improved social investment and the gradual restoration of living standards.

Whether or not one is a Syriza fan, it must be obvious that unless we get our finances into kilter and a banking system functioning again, we will not be able to make inroads into poverty or tackle inequality in our society. Who will endure most arising from the cack-handed misgovernance of Greece? It won’t be the wealthy elite or the tax dodgers or the trendy academics advising Syriza on the politics of magical thinking.

The contention that Labour “would have benefitted more from staying in opposition” may be correct. But Labour was not elected in 2011 to stand aside. Prioritising power over principle is the favoured insult of the designer left thrown at every politician from Lloyd George to Barack Obama who dares take on the challenge of political responsibility in difficult times.

Pat Rabbitte
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.

Labour’s way (Irish Times letters page)

Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

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The mother of pantomimically* embarrassed kids (at one point, you can see them) performs an awful dance in 32 Disneyland locations during the park’s 60th Anniversary Celebration Week.

It’s…just terrible.

(*Thanks Jay in comments)

22words

Broadsheet.ie