Mick Wallace makes fresh Nama allegations in the Dáil
By Daniel McConnell, Political Editor
Independent TD Mick Wallace has today made fresh allegations in the Dáil of wrongdoing against Nama about the sale of its Northern Ireland loan book.
During heated exchanges, Tánaiste Joan Burton insisted no claims of wrongdoing exist and that it was her information that the deal was done properly.
“I am advised this loan sale was executed in a proper manner,” she said.
Mr Wallace, who has repeatedly raised concern about the Project Eagle sale, named three individuals in the chamber under privilege saying an independent commission of inquiry is now required.
In the Dáil, Mr Wallace accused Nama of telling untruths.
He said he had asked Nama a number of questions about Project Eagle in recent weeks.
He had asked if Ronnie Hanna and Frank Cushnahan, or David Waters, ever met with any US investment fund personnel.
While Nama had replied that Mr Hanna had no such meetings, it was now known that Mr Hanna did meet at least one of the US investment funds.
Mr Wallace claimed Mr Hanna, a Nama executive, “was part of a cabal to seek payment for affecting the biggest property deal in the history of this State’’.
He claimed the three individuals he had referred to had “information above and beyond what was available in the data room”.
He added: “Frank Cushnahan was looking after the political side in the North and Ronnie Hanna was looking after matters inside Nama in Dublin. We are not talking about Belfast, this is Dublin. This is at the heart of Nama in Dublin, and this is on the Tánaiste's watch.”
US company Cerberus Capital Management’s purchase of Project Eagle loans last year for €1.2bn is at the centre of controversy over claims Northern Ireland politicians and businessmen were to benefit from the deal.
Nama has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Nama has reacted furiously to the allegations saying Mr Wallace’s claims were “utterly disingenuous and appear to be a deliberate misinterpretation of Nama correspondence by Deputy Wallace”.
Leas Cheann Comhairle Michael Kitt intervened to remind Mr Wallace there was a longstanding convention in the House that allegations should not be made against people outside the House.
