An independent investigator will be appointed by the Houses of the Oireachtas service next week to look into allegations of wrongdoing at the Oireachtas banking inquiry.
In a dramatic development yesterday, it emerged that an investigator working with the inquiry had made allegations of wrongdoing under whistleblower legislation.
It is understood that this person, who has not been named, is no longer working on the banking inquiry, although they continue to be employed by the Houses of the Oireachtas, which overseas the operation of the Dáil and Seanad.
It is not clear precisely when the allegations were made, but the process to deal with them is believed to date back to April of this year. This raises questions as to why no action was taken before now.
The inquiry held a number of lengthy private sessions yesterday to deal with the matter.
This included clearing the room of inquiry staff, something that it does not usually request when sitting in private.
In a statement last night, the inquiry said the acting clerk of the Dáil had instigated a “process of investigation”.
It did not provide any details relating to the allegations made. It is not clear who will be charged with investigating this matter.
Preferential treatment
The allegations are understood to concern claims that preferential treatment was given by the investigation team to the Central Bank and the Department of Finance in preparation for the committee’s hearings.
The Central Bank is reported to have insisted on a whole series of redactions in documents that it supplied and was allowed a lengthy meeting with the lead investigator.
Fianna Fáil Senator Marc MacSharry, who is one of 11 members of the banking inquiry, is believed to have wanted an independent inquiry held into the allegations, but this call was rejected.
Oireachtas sources last night insisted that the whistleblower allegations would not affect the continuing work of the inquiry.
Today the inquiry is due to hear from former attorney general Paul Gallagher, Arthur Cox lawyers Pádraig Ó Ríordáin and Eugene McCague, who advised the government on the night of the bank guarantee, and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
In a statement, the inquiry said: “Mr Ahern will be questioned on the nature and effectiveness of the operational implementation of the macro-economic and prudential policy; the appropriateness of the expert advice sought, quality of analysis of the advice and how effectively this advice was used; an analysis and consideration of the response to contrarian views, both internal and external; the effectiveness of the Oireachtas in scrutinising public policy on the banking sector and the economy; and the appropriateness of the advice from the Department of Finance to Government and the use thereof by Government.”
The inquiry began its public hearings in December of last year and is due to conclude these sessions in September before producing a report in November.
