Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

On 7 July 2010, the previous Government announced its decision to establish a commission of investigation into the banking sector in Ireland, pursuant to the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. The commission was formally established on 21 September 2010 by Government Order, and Mr. Peter Nyberg was appointed as the sole member of the commission. The commission reported on 22 March 2011 and its report was published on 19 April 2011. Under section 9 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, the commission is independent in the performance of its functions. Part of this includes the methodologies of selection of the expert investigative team who assisted the commission.

Nominations for appointment and the actual appointments to the commission were a matter for the commission of investigation itself. Section 8 of the 2004 Act requires the Minister to approve the proposed appointment by a commission of investigation of persons to advise or assist it in relation to any matter within its terms of reference. In that regard, the commission wrote to the Department proposing the appointment of individuals under section 8 of the Act. These submissions noted that sanction for the appointment of senior level investigative experts and junior level investigative experts were based on proposed maximum per diem rates, having regard to a number of factors, including the nature and complexity of the work to be undertaken and the short-term nature of the work.

The amount paid to each individual varied in each case and depended on the number of days that the individual worked for the commission. It is expected, once all accounts are closed, that the aggregate figure to be paid to the sole member of the commission and those individuals engaged under section 8 of the Act will be in the region of €889,000.

Overall, there were 21 staff members working on the commission, including Mr. Peter Nyberg. Five administrative staff, seconded from my Department, assisted the commission and performed back-office support for it. The cost of these staff was borne by my Department.

I am satisfied that the commission acted in good faith at all times in its selection of staff and that the staff selected were appropriate for the performance of its function, especially in light of the time period the commission had to complete its report.

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