Mr Ulick McEvaddy's approach on behalf of the Tanaiste to offer "a mutual friend", Mr Jim Mitchell, the post of vice-president at the EIB is not the first time his links with senior politicians have provoked controversy.
When Ms Harney and another friend, the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, stayed last year at a holiday villa he owns near Nice, south France, opposition politicians claimed there was a potential conflict of interest.
Mr McEvaddy and his brother, Desmond, had asked the Government to oppose moves by the EU to restrict airlines' use of "hush kits" to reduce noise from aircraft. The brothers' company, Omega Air, stands to lose some $36 million in the next five years because of the change. They also sought unsuccessfully to develop a new terminal at Dublin Airport.
The brothers rejected allegations of a conflict of interest, saying the matter was not one for the Government to decide but the European Court where Omega had challenged the move.
Omega modifies older aircraft with hush kits. It also claims to be the world's largest owner and leaser of Boeing 707 aircraft.
From Swinford, Co Mayo, the millionaire brothers also own 49 per cent of Air Gambia. They have made minority investments in Dublin radio station FM 104 and are involved in the Malahide marina project.
Mr Ulick McEvaddy (47) lives near Malahide, north Co Dublin. Mr Desmond McEvaddy (46) lives in London.
The brothers' friends also include the Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, who has used a helicopter they own.
Neither Omega Air nor Air Gambia has been the beneficiary of EIB loans, the bank's spokesman said yesterday.
Mr Ulick McEvaddy did not return a telephone call to his Dublin office yesterday.
