Bertie Ahern to appear before the banking inquiry

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern will appear before the banking inquiry next week.

Mr Ahern is due to give evidence on his time as minister for finance and taoiseach.

The former Fianna Fáil leader is said to be "keen" to appear before the committee, and members are eager to question him on his role in the economic crash and his pension entitlements, which will be increased in the coming months.

The meeting is scheduled for 2.30pm on Thursday.

Former secretary general of the Department of the Taoiseach Dermot McCarthy will also attend the inquiry next week.

Mr McCarthy, who served under Mr Ahern and former taoiseach Brian Cowen, worked in the department from 2000 to 2011.

He is due to be questioned on the €570,000 payment he received on leaving office and his pension entitlements of €142,000.

Former attorney general Paul Gallagher is also due to give evidence next week.

Mr Gallagher was present when the blanket bank guarantee decision was made and at the subsequent cabinet meeting.

The legal adviser to Mr Cowen’s government has been given approval to discuss what advice he offered on the night of September 29th, 2008.

The inquiry is due to finish at the end of July before resuming hearings in early September.