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CONTROVERSY IS BREWING in the banking inquiry with members torn over ex-Anglo boss David Drumm giving evidence over video link.
However the Chair of the Banking Inquiry Ciaran Lynch denies that it is on the verge of collapse.
The Sunday Business Post reports today that a number of TDs will walk out if the former Anglo chief gives evidence by conference video link.
Why are people uncomfortable?
Some members have been vocal in expressing their discomfort that government officials would facilitate Drumm despite him flouting the Irish authorities.
A file on David Drumm was given to the Director of Public Prosecutions by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement in 2011.
However Drumm refuses to cooperate with gardaí and will not return to Ireland for questioning.
Speaking to Shane Coleman on Newstalk’s The Sunday Show, he said:
It’s a cross party committee: it has people who are part of political parties and people who come from none… There will always be different positions, but what we have done to date is work as a team.
When asked about the discomfort of some members about Drumm giving evidence to the inquiry he said full legal advice is taken on matters like this before any decision is made.
Give evidence by video link
He said Drumm gave a written statement to the inquiry two weeks ago in which he specified he would be available by video link.
Lynch said before a decision is made one way or another, all members should attend the meeting on Tuesday where all concerns on the matter can be raised.
“I’ve asked members to leave their club jerseys at the door, and I’ll be sure when we hold a meeting that that position will be repeated,” he added.
He said it is “crucial” the work of the committee gets done.
Lynch said it owes it to the Irish public to ensure their final report prevents any future crisis being revisited on the nation.
Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath and Fine Gael’s Eoghan Murphy have both said they are extremely concerned at the direction the committee is taking.
Speaking on Marian Finucane yesterday, McGrath said it was “just not acceptable” to him. He said he felt very strongly that no such video link should be provided.
The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has already said David Drumm should cooperate fully with the Banking Inquiry.
In ‘two minds’ if Drumm should be allowed
Speaking on RTÉ’s Marian Finucane Show this morning, the Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said he had been in “two minds” about Drumm giving evidence until he heard from broadcaster Eamon Dunphy, who was also on the panel with him.
Dunphy said it was a “no-brainer” that Drumm should not be allowed give evidence before the inquiry.
He said that anything the banker has to say would be merely speculative and “hearsay”.
“We can’t have a society that deals with a guy like that on an ad hoc basis,” said Dunphy.
“I was between two minds until I heard what Eamon said,” said Varadkar.
The minister said he had thought he would like to hear what Drumm had to say.
However he agreed the inquiry should not be dealing with a man the authorities are trying to extradite back to Ireland.
“What Eamon said is correct, “said Varadkar.
The health minister said the matter is up the members of the banking inquiry and that government would not be advising them on the matter.
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Not good at all! I look forward to the day when we start seeing these major corporations taking on people rather than letting them go.
Did you not hear the announcement from Intel about their expansion? Take note Journal.ie.
Just remember folks these are the same guys urging a yes vote, who ll cut jobs here and drop us in an instant just to save a few cent. NOT the type of people whose opinion should be trusted on sovereign affairs! Deeply sad news, let’s hope the loss of jobs here is small.
This is just to do with supply and demand, HP is going down as it has not diversified to meet the competition.. The saved money may be invested back into the company and hopefully improve it..
So would it be fair to say that supply and demand will remain the same regardless of whether we are on board this packed metaphorical train? If that’s the case, and as you point out below, Irelands democratic wish won’t make a blind bit of notice to FDI investment and retraction in Ireland? More spoof so from Yes side?
Well your right there about FDI whether we vote yes or no, no difference,
There “hiring” alright, 40+ hrs a week for unpaid “work experience”.
Jesus can we have one story were someone doesn’t bring up the stability treaty or government.
This is bad news. But am I crazy or did I recently read somewhere that HP were actually taking on staff ??
They seem to hire a lot of their engineers etc through a independent subsidiary called HP CDS this allows them to offer lower terms and less benefits as opposed to normal HP engineers.
Stability !!!! Yeah right.
This has nothing to do with the treaty.. If industry X goes bust it’s because of the market shifts
have your say