Commissions of Investigation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Ceisteanna (243)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

243. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Finance why he met with Fianna Fáil's Leader and spokesperson on Northern Ireland and Sinn Féin's Vice President on the proposed terms of reference for a commission of investigation to be established to assess the oversight of the Department of Finance of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation's transactions, which resulted in a loss of at least €10 million, rather than with the Opposition parties' finance spokespersons; if he will outline the process by which these meetings came about; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23190/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

Following the announcement of the draft Terms of Reference for the Commission of Investigation on 3 June 2015, I wrote to opposition party leaders and to Deputy Catherine Murphy, in her role as Whip of the Technical Group, seeking their observations on the draft Terms of Reference. My office contacted the opposition party leaders and Deputy Murphy to arrange follow-up meetings. I was not prescriptive on who should attend these meetings. On Monday 8 June 2015, I held separate meetings with Deputy Micheál Martin, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald and Deputy Catherine Murphy where they put forward their observations.