Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Moylan, Ms Tallon and their colleagues. I must admit I am on the same page as Ms Tallon with regard to completing this circle. I thank Ms Moylan for being as frank as she possibly can be, under the circumstances. We will not be able to complete the picture in the absence of evidence from other individuals named. At our previous effort to examine these issues, I had requested that Mr. Moloney, Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. FitzPatrick make themselves available to meet the committee in an effort to examine all the issues in as complete a way as possible. I welcome the decision of the committee to extend that invitation. To coin a phrase, there is no show without Punch. It is very important that those critical players in this process make themselves available to allow us to complete the picture in so far as we can.

I am particularly interested in the issue of ministerial sanction. I refer Ms Moylan to minute No. 8.2 of the meeting of 24 October. This was a critical meeting in the context of the issues under examination today. It is stated in the minutes that the board noted that ministerial sanction to increase borrowing and the acquisition of shares in the company was expected to be received during the day. Ms Moylan stated in her evidence and from our own examination of this issue that it was indeed a very fast-paced environment. I ask Ms Moylan to clarify whether the reference to ministerial sanction was made by her. How could the meeting have had the confidence that ministerial sanction would be received that day from the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and, as is required, from the Minister for Finance?