No evidence of Nama wrongdoing in Republic, says Kenny

Taoiseach pressed by Sinn Féin leader for inquiry on sale of agency’s northern loan book

The Taoiseach  said if Gerry  Adams wanted to give him evidence of why there should be a commission of investigation into Nama “in this jurisdiction’’, he would be prepared to listen to it.  File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
The Taoiseach said if Gerry Adams wanted to give him evidence of why there should be a commission of investigation into Nama “in this jurisdiction’’, he would be prepared to listen to it. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said nobody had presented him with evidence of wrongdoing by the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) in the Republic.

“There is no evidence of wrongdoing by Nama in this jurisdiction,’’ he added.

The Taoiseach was replying in the Dáil on Wednesday to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, who said Mr Kenny had avoided his question last week on the need for a full investigation of the sale and purchase of Nama's northern loan book, Project Eagle.

Some of the allegations were shocking, he added.

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Between May 2010 and November 2013, a member of Nama’s advisory board was alleged to have been charging a fee for advice about Nama, he said.

Mr Adams said it was also alleged the same individual had an unethical working relationship with a senior Nama officer who gave him access to additional and sensitive commercial information.

If found to be accurate, the allegations amounted to financial corruption and insider trading, with the taxpayer suffering a huge loss, he added.

Mr Kenny said if Mr Adams wanted to give him evidence of why there should be a commission of investigation “in this jurisdiction’’, he would be prepared to listen to it.

“I hear allegations, rumours and speculation…that is not the basis for setting up a commission of investigation for any particular matter,’’ he added.

Michael O'Regan

Michael O'Regan

Michael O’Regan is a former parliamentary correspondent of The Irish Times