NAMA Operations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016

Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Questions (269)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

269. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 60 to 74 of 18 May 2016 and the consequences of leaks from the National Asset Management Agency, in particular, Question No. 60, which stated that NAMA became aware in September 2012 and Question No. 61, which gave Autumn 2012 as the notification date while the Sunday Times article (details supplied), which appears to have triggered the investigation, was published on 2 August 2012, when the agency commenced its investigation of e-mails and devices, and, if not immediately, the reason why; if it was not immediately evident by mid August 2012 at the latest from e-mails that confidential information had been leaked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13584/16]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The two matters referred to in this question are separate and distinct.

To help clarify the Deputy's understanding of these events, I refer the Deputy to information I put on the record during a Topical Issues Debate on this issue on September 25, 2012, some of which I repeat below for the benefit of the Deputy.

I am advised that on 2 August 2012, NAMA became aware that a NAMA official had purchased a five bedroom house in Dublin from the agency's portfolio. On 3 August 2012 NAMA instructed its internal auditor, Deloitte, to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the transaction. The newspaper article mentioned in the question concerning the purchase of the property by a NAMA official was published on 5 August 2012.

The Deloitte investigation was an investigation into the purchase of the property. I am advised however, that during the course of the Deloitte investigation, suspicious email traffic was discovered which warranted further investigation.

I am further advised that NAMA issued ex parte proceedings in respect of these suspicions on 3 September 2012. Once the in camera restrictions in respect of the proceedings were lifted on 12 September 2012, the matter was notified to An Garda Siochana and the Data Protection Commissioner.

As the deputy is aware the issue was then investigated by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation resulting in charges being proffered.

Question No. 270 answered with Question No. 267.