Enda Kenny rejects calls for inquiry into Nama

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted a commission of investigation into the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) will not be facilitated.

However, Mr Kenny confirmed he would meet Independents4Change TD Mick Wallace to discuss his concerns over the agency.

Mr Kenny said he saw no reason to change his mind on this issue, despite the series of allegations made against Nama by Mr Wallace.

“I will have a discussion with Deputy Wallace and if he produces evidence for me, either names or incidents that can stand up, I will send that to the gardaí immediately,” Mr Kenny said.

The Taoiseach and senior Ministers have rejected calls for an inquiry into the 2014 sale of Project Eagle by Nama.

Project Eagle was the agency's Northern Ireland portfolio of some 850 properties, with a loan book value of £4.5 billion (€5.3 billion).

It was sold to Cerberus, a US-based investment company, for £1.24 billion (about €1.48 billion).

Mr Kenny said Mr Wallace had made a series of allegations about the sale under Dáil privilege.

The Taoiseach said the allegations were being investigated by the proper authorities and that he sees no reason for a commission of investigation to be established.

Media reports that one was likely were “entirely speculative”, he said.

Mr Kenny said: “There are investigations under way in Northern Ireland and there is no investigation taking place into Nama down here and the Project Eagle [sale] that Deputy Wallace referred to is subject of a detailed analysis by the Comptroller and Auditor General.”

‘Fixer’s fee’

Mr Wallace has claimed £5 million (about €6 million) in funds related to the Project Eagle sale was held in an Isle of Man bank account, allegedly as a so-called fixer’s fee enabling the sale to go through.

The UK’s National Crime Agency and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, combined with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are investigating the deal.

Several people involved in the sale have been arrested, including two former Nama officials.

Mr Wallace wrote to the Central Bank last month to report "possible criminal offences" involved in the Project Eagle deal.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams have met Mr Wallace separately to discuss his call for an inquiry.

The Wexford TD was accompanied at the meetings by solicitor Aidan Eames.

Mr Adams and his party have supported the calls for a commission of investigation to be established.

Fianna Fáil has insisted criminal investigations must be completed before a statutory inquiry can proceed.