Banking inquiry summons two more former Anglo executives

The Oireachtas Banking Inquiry has told another two former Anglo Irish Bank executives that they must appear before the committee to answer questions about their roles in the banking crisis.

The committee had received correspondence from Anglo’s former finance director Willie McAteer and fellow executive Peter Fitzgerald seeking to be excused from appearing at the inquiry.

No reason for these requests was revealed by the committee but it is likely to relate to legal cases that are pending in relation to the bank.

“Having considered these applications, the committee concluded that it would not withdraw the directions to those witnesses,” the inquiry said in a statement.

Under the terms of the act covering the inquiry, the witnesses now have the option of applying to the Director of Public Prosecutions for declarations that would require the committee to withdraw its directions.

“The committee has informed those witnesses of this right,” the inquiry added.

Mr Fitzgerald had been directed to appear before the committee on July 24th while Mr McAteer is due to attend on July 29th.

Earlier this week, the committee revealed that three other Anglo Irish Bank executives had sought to be excused from appearing.

However, the committee decided not to withdraw the directions issued to Anglo’s former chairman Seán FitzPatrick and executives John Bowe and Pat Whelan. The three are also due to appear this month.