Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I asked the Minister if he was prepared to ensure that there was a look-back investigation into the manner in which decisions were made at the DDDA. I did not receive an answer to that. The authority initially was liable for €35 million out of a €288 million given by Anglo Irish Bank, which ultimately led to the purchase of the Irish Glass Bottle site in 2006 for €412 million. There were senior officials from Anglo Irish Bank, namely, Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Bradshaw, sitting on the board of the DDDA at the time the authority was making those decisions. The annual report for 2008, which was published without the financial report for 2009, announced a €27 million operating loss and a deficit of €213 million. We now know that then chief executive of the authority, Mr. Paul Maloney, approached the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government seeking approval of borrowing limits for this purchase before it was submitted to the board of the authority.

What is the estimated liability for the DDDA if Anglo Irish Bank calls in its loan? We also know that the assets of the authority were put up as security for this loan. Will the Minister give an undertaking that there will be a proper look-back investigation into the failure of corporate governance at the authority? We need to get to the truth of the matter about the major conflicts of interest that took place in this organisation, which is under the stewardship of his Department.

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