LISTEN: Release of Nama documents by Noonan 'nothing short of interference'
Public Accounts Committee members have strongly criticised the late-night release of documents by Finance Minister Michael Noonan about Nama's Project Eagle.
Committee members have also claimed attempts are being made to "muzzle" its work, after members were cautioned by civil servants about dealing with Nama today.
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It emerged that the committee was cautioned ahead of today's meeting, which will examine the largest property deal in the history of the State by the agency.
PAC also heard today how the north's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has now also asked to appear before PAC after the release of the finance documents late last night.
Deputy Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the release of 41 documents last night by finance was "telling", especially as Mr Noonan was "refusing" to cooperate with an inquiry in the North into Project Eagle and the property sales.
Mary Lou McDonald says NI Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has written to the PAC offering to give evidence over NAMA...
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) October 1, 2015
PAC chairman John McGuinness said the release of the documents, which show the correspondence between Mr Noonan and others about NAMA, was "nothing short of interference" with the committee.
Objecting to a legal warning given to PAC members before this morning's meetings, he said the committee did not need a "civil servant coming in telling us what we are doing...him intimidating us".
TD Shane Ross went further claiming that PAC's work was being "muzzled", "frustrated" and affected in a "certainly detrimental" manner by hidden hands outside the committee.
Sen Shane Ross says Minister Noonan issued batch of documents 2late 4 MLAs 2 digest. "nakedly political" "a distraction" "shocking" #NAMA
— Máirtín Ó Muilleoir (@newbelfast) October 1, 2015
