Donnelly: I'll rejoin inquiry if senators quit
The Independent TD who resigned from the Banking Inquiry says he would be open to returning - if the two newly-added Government Senators resign.
Stephen Donnelly says he would welcome dialogue with Enda Kenny over how to proceed - but warned that the move to force a Government majority was a "subversion of democracy".
A Government spokesperson has confirmed that the whip will not apply to party members on the Committee.
Deputy Donnelly says that is a welcome first step, but he would not return unless the inquiry's original membership is restored.
Asked if he would rejoin if the senators stepped down from the inquiry, he said: "I guess I would, yeah, yeah.
"On the basis that the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach also said the whip was going to be removed, if Senator D'Arcy and Senator O'Keefe suggest: 'Look we're going to back out of this', and if it was restored to what the Oireachtas originally decided, then I guess, yes."
