Politics

Banking Inquiry: Kenny urged to clarify contradiction in evidence

Position questioned after testimony of ex-Anglo chief financial officer Matt Moran

Matt Moran, former chief financial officer at Anglo Irish Bank, arrives for a hearing of the Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis at Leinster House, Dublin, September 3rd, 2015. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Matt Moran, former chief financial officer at Anglo Irish Bank, arrives for a hearing of the Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis at Leinster House, Dublin, September 3rd, 2015. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Sarah Bardon
Fri Sept 04 2015 - 01:00

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been called on to clarify comments he made before the Banking Inquiry which were directly contradicted on Wednesday.

Mr Kenny's evidence was questioned after testimony given to the committee by former chief financial officer of Anglo Irish Bank, Matt Moran.

Mr Moran said he did discuss the future of Anglo with the Fine Gael leader in November 2009, a claim Mr Kenny has previously denied.

Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher said Mr Kenny needed to make a statement on the conflict of evidence. He said this raised serious questions for the Taoiseach and he called on him to clarify the matter.

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‘Very serious’

Mr Kelleher said: “It would be a very serious matter if the Taoiseach has misled the Banking Inquiry.”

Mr Kenny appeared before the inquiry in July and rejected the contents of emails sent by Mr Moran to Anglo chief executive David Drumm.

The correspondence had detailed a briefing Mr Moran received from the Fine Gael leader and the then leader of the opposition.

The emails alleged Mr Kenny told the Anglo official the State was considering telling Bank of Ireland to take over Anglo.

It also claimed the Fine Gael leader called him and told him about rumours circulating around Leinster House about two other organisations.

Speaking before the banking inquiry, Mr Moran said he was the author of those emails and stood by their contents.

‘Lots of rumours’

He said: “Correct. So there were lots of rumours at that time, as you know, and he informed me that these rumours also existed.”

The banking inquiry also heard on Thursday that former Taoiseach Brian Cowen held a meeting with Anglo chairman Seán FitzPatrick in the home of a director of the bank before an infamous golf outing.

Mr Cowen met Mr FitzPatrick at the the house of Fintan Drury, a director of Anglo and friend of the former Fianna Fáil leader.

Mr Cowen and Mr Drury both appeared before the committee but did not disclose this information.

Former director Gary McGann told the committee the house was close to Druid’s Glen and the group met there before the game of golf.