Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Was there any 'nod nod wink wink behaviour' at IBRC?

Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening in Irish politics right now…

Updated 12.05pm

DO YOU WANT State of the Nation delivered to your inbox every morning at 9.30am? Sign-up to our email alert at the bottom of this story.

Everyone’s talking about…

The cabinet is set to meet this morning to finalise the terms of reference of the commission of investigation into certain IBRC transactions.

mary lou Mary Lou McDonald Photocall Ireland Photocall Ireland

Requests for the lower house to be recalled last week fell on deaf ears, as the row over Dáil privilege escalated following comments made about Denis O’Brien’s relationship with IBRC (formerly Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide) by independent TD Catherine Murphy.

Opposition TDs met with Finance Minister Michael Noonan yesterday to discuss the terms of reference of the investigation.

They want the scope of the inquiry to be widened to include departmental oversight and transactions made by the special liquidator after the bank was wound down in February 2013.

TDs will finally get their chance to have their say on the Dáil floor – with several hours of debate on the issue pencilled in today and tomorrow.

Speaking on Morning Ireland, Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said Noonan “seemed to be open” to suggestions made by the opposition at the meeting.

Echoing calls made by Murphy, she added that it needs to be clarified if any of the bank’s customers received preferential treatment or, as she put it, if  ”nod nod wink wink behaviour” went on.

enda Enda Kenny Photocall Ireland Photocall Ireland

On his way into cabinet this morning, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said once the terms of reference are signed off on, the judge overseeing the investigation will be entirely independent, stating: “Judges are not the pawns of any minister and they’re not the pawns of any government.”

Later, Noonan said he believed the government would get “a good result” from  discussions this morning and added that the terms of reference will “allow the judge to deal with all the issues that have been raised”.

But don’t expect that to satisfy the opposition.

Inside Leinster House

The IBRC debate is set to kick off just after 5pm today, and is set to be very interesting – and possibly quite shout-y.

The agenda

  • The cabinet will meet this morning, where the IBRC inquiry and lead in water pipes are set to be discussed.
  • Defence Minister Simon Coveney will be answering questions at 2pm.
  • Enda Kenny will have his first Leaders’ Questions of the week at 3.15pm.
  • The banking inquiry will hold a private meeting at 3.30pm.
  • Environment Minister Alan Kelly will discuss climate action and low carbon legislation with the environment committee at 4.15pm.
  • Senators will debate the new policing authority bill at 4.45pm.
  • Shortly after 5pm the Dáil will begin debating the Commission of Investigation into IBRC, before adjourning at midnight.
  • Representatives from Amnesty International will discuss its report on Ireland’s abortion laws with the health committee at 5.15pm.

What the others are saying

  • Some Cork City councillors are unhappy Environment Minister Alan Kelly asked for the official opening of a social housing unit to be postponed until he could attend, according to the Irish Examiner.
  • The same paper states that draft copies of the Fennelly Commission report into the resignation of former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan will be given to ceratin individuals including the Taoiseach this week.
  • The Irish Independent notes that Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor has been selected to represent the party in the Dún Laoghaire constituency in Dublin.

In case you missed it

On the Twitter machine

Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony is embracing his new constituency…

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
53 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute winding_down
    Favourite winding_down
    Report
    Jul 11th 2014, 9:48 PM

    Really looks very pleased – he must be relieved to still have a job!

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute winding_down
    Favourite winding_down
    Report
    Jul 11th 2014, 9:49 PM

    Reilly*

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall H
    Favourite Niall H
    Report
    Jul 12th 2014, 2:25 AM

    Is it true Enda is tippin that burton one from down the road?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute kopper96
    Favourite kopper96
    Report
    Jul 11th 2014, 10:01 PM

    What!!! No Garth Brooks?

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maura Boyle
    Favourite Maura Boyle
    Report
    Jul 11th 2014, 9:43 PM

    It has the look of splendid icing on a sunken cake!

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Mccartney
    Favourite Stephen Mccartney
    Report
    Jul 11th 2014, 10:07 PM

    God help us all…

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KentuckyWindage
    Favourite KentuckyWindage
    Report
    Jul 11th 2014, 9:45 PM

    Joan Burton was looking as ravishing as ever.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Roche
    Favourite Paul Roche
    Report
    Jul 11th 2014, 9:51 PM

    What?
    No Alan Shatter?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Reilly
    Favourite Jack Reilly
    Report
    Jul 11th 2014, 10:31 PM

    Cabinet reshuffle…… These feckers couldn’t even do the Apartment Shuffle!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Jul 11th 2014, 11:24 PM

    “Well done Joan, so you finally put the Rabbit in the pot !!”

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noelle Connolly
    Favourite Noelle Connolly
    Report
    Jul 11th 2014, 11:24 PM

    Poor Leo is way down the back, all on his lonesome!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pj Quinn
    Favourite Pj Quinn
    Report
    Jul 12th 2014, 2:07 AM

    Would you not think living beside Smithfield Market that some one would have shot down and got the president an orange box to stand on for photos

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Virtual Architect
    Favourite Virtual Architect
    Report
    Jul 12th 2014, 2:16 PM

    People in the not so distant future will look back in bemusement at how we thought having mainstream parties run essentially by banks was a”good idea”..

    How quaint.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute eastsmer
    Favourite eastsmer
    Report
    Jul 12th 2014, 12:47 PM

    “Could you all just move to the left slightly?..”
    Any move towards the left by the ‘labour left’ party would be welcome

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds