The Taoiseach has said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) should be told of any alleged illegality in the sale by the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) of its Northern Ireland loan portfolio.

Enda Kenny told the Dáil that anybody with evidence of illegality or criminality should bring it to the PSNI’s attention.

“The remit of Nama is to return a profit for the taxpayer in respect of the sales of the portfolios it has, which is very extensive,” he added.

"They are responsible to this House, to the Irish public, through the Public Accounts Committee and the reports of the Comptroller & Auditor General's office."

The Taoiseach was replying to Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald who said Pimco had flatly contradicted the account given by Nama chairman Frank Daly, and insinuated by the Taoiseach, that the company was asked to withdraw from the sale's process.

Mr Daly had said that Pimco was asked to withdraw when it emerged that as part of their proposal to buy the portfolio a £15million success fee was due to be paid to a number of parties. The company has denied it was asked to pull out.

“They suggest that they voluntarily withdrew,” she added.

Ms McDonald said a scenario had emerged whereby Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Nama had known things had gone badly and had not informed the Northern Executive nor pulled the sales process.

“They were quite satisfied and happy to allow things to trundle on,’’ she added.

Earlier, Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin renewed his demand that a commission of investigation be established to investigate the matter.