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MEP Phil Prendergast (file photo) Graham Hughes/Photocall Ireland

Labour MEPs call on government to release information about IBRC liquidation

MEP Phil Prendergast said that “a blanket refusal policy would serve only to heighten distrust in government and in the ECB.”

Updated 17:23

LABOUR MEPs PHIL PRENDERGAST and Nessa Childers have called on an extension of the Freedom of Information (FOI) process to give insight into the State’s liquidation of IBRC.

The MEPs made the call following reports in the Irish Examiner that government were under instruction from the European Central Bank not to release details of the ongoing liquidation to the public.

The news comes just days after TheJournal.ie revealed that the Irish Bank Officials Association had told workers at the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation to cooperate with NAMA regarding the transfers of assets out of the liquidated bank.

‘A step too far’

“The outright rejection of Freedom of Information requests is a step too far,” Prendergast said, with the Labour Party member adding that she firmly believed that “access to information is a key part of democracy in action.”

There is no excuse for a gag order like this. A blanket refusal policy would serve only to heighten distrust in government and in the ECB.

Childers said that the decision to liquidate IBRC had been one the “biggest ever decisions made by the Irish State” and said that she had submitted an official parliamentary question to the ECB to determine their position on the issue.

Read: Union now tells IBRC staff to cooperate with NAMA over new roles >

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44 Comments
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    Mute tax slave
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:13 AM

    Of course thy will . Talk shit for a few weeks . And then Bury it . And we Joe soap gets screwed again

    65
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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Dec 11th 2013, 10:57 AM

    Yes the madness goes on there’s no jail waiting for any of these. Accountability will go out the window white collar crime at its best but a non tv licence payer will go to jail Oh what a country.

    1
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    Mute Daniel Wall
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:29 AM

    Accountability!!!! Your having a laugh

    42
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    Mute gumbridge
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    Dec 10th 2013, 10:14 AM

    Nope, he’s as serious as he is deluded.

    17
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    Mute Derek Richardson
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:23 AM

    As if they already did not now it was already happening they all drink from the same source

    41
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    Mute tax slave
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:20 AM

    This man’s Sr name should be MAD . . Howling mad . If he thinks we believe any thing Wil come of this . . In future keep the money in your pocket no more teddy bears or pins for me Fu@k them greedy ba@@ards

    34
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    Mute Bobbie Byrne
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:58 AM

    Howlin: Pleeeeeeeeease attend the PAC meeting….
    Conlon: No
    Howlin: ah go on pleeeeeeeeease..
    Conlon: No
    Howlin: Pleeeeease….I’ll be your best friend?
    Conlon: No
    Howlin: Ah you’re mean!

    24
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    Mute Rúairí O’ Sullivan
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:24 AM

    Power if Compellability? Is that the same as insisting or even asking really really really nicely?

    He wouldn’t have refused unless advised to by an extremely well paid solicitor.

    If he has no legal obligation to explain his actions…..and he hasn’t actually broken any laws, why would he appear?

    14
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    Mute Rúairí O’ Sullivan
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:25 AM

    Also……if this was a legal matter, we wouldn’t be allowed to comment!

    Another of the “elite” that will get off scot free

    25
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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Dec 10th 2013, 11:21 AM

    They’ll get to the bottom of it and then what will be done? Precisely nothing!

    11
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    Mute Patricia Ann McCarthy Moore
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    Dec 10th 2013, 11:32 AM

    There would be very little need for these charities if low income families and individuals were given the basic essentials of life. I am referring to the exorbitant cost of electricity, and the soon to be introduced water charges. Ireland has a surplus supply of electricity and plans are afoot to export electricity to the U.K. Why should low income families have to use their childrens allowance to pay for those utilities. In addition the USC supplement must be abolished in order to assist working people. I know this post will elicit howls of rage from those who believe that the Banksters and their Shareholders of Ireland Inc are more deserving of the taxpayers largesse than low income families and individuals who are finding it hard to pay the bills.
    Howl all you want to.
    This is where I stand.
    1 .Free electricity and water for low income families and individuals.
    2.Abolition of USC from workers pay.

    9
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    Mute Dave Caplice
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    Dec 10th 2013, 1:14 PM

    I’ll take a few boxes of that free electricity stuff please…

    4
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    Mute Andrea McElroy
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    Dec 10th 2013, 10:49 AM

    an oireachtas committee cant hold individuals accountable they can only investigate… then report those findings back to the oireacthas where its left in their hands. should be interesting what happens… probably nothing though.

    8
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    Mute John Kavanagh
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    Dec 10th 2013, 11:04 AM

    Howlin said that the PAC is “robust” and “they normally get to the bottom of things” adding that they will “pursue this until they get the full facts”……and then they will dial 999……..ya,dream on!!!!!

    8
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    Mute Barney r
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    Dec 10th 2013, 9:22 AM

    I am sure normal things will have nothing to do with what the public needs to know. With regards to the Mr. Conlons position how can you bolt so fast as to advise on investigating other people.

    7
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    Mute John Meade
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    Dec 10th 2013, 1:24 PM

    Minister for reform, dont make me laugh, i have not seen any reform, the rich get away with bloody murder while the government goes after the little people all the time, “they normally get to the bottom of things” yeah sure, and how much will it cost and how long will it take. by the way Howlin, whats your job ?, is it not to ensure this sort of shite doesnt happen, or to deflect responsibility when someone gets caught, be gone labour and take your turncoats with you.

    6
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    Mute Sean Collins
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    Dec 10th 2013, 11:21 AM

    Minister Howlin will you have a word with Del Boy rabbitte and tell him to stop making an ejit of himself, he was trying to be funny about Colm Keavney joining FF when he jumped from 3 parties himself along With Gilmore.

    5
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