Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I gave a further extension to Mr. Justice Fennelly, and I expect it to finish in March.

In the context of the queries on costs raised by Deputies Howlin and Adams, the IBRC commission of inquiry is due to report on Siteserv at the end of 2017, so we do not yet know the costs and, therefore, I cannot comment in that regard. If there are third-party costs, they would only fall for payment after they have been considered and adjudicated on by the commission. They would then not arise until 2018. If it transpires that they require to be paid in 2017, however, the money would need to be found from within the Department of the Taoiseach or elsewhere.

Reference was also made to Project Eagle. I met with the leaders in September 2016 and we heard their views on the issues of public concern. I received a number of submissions following that meeting. We met again on 4 October and agreed, in principle, that the Government would establish a commission of investigation under the Act of 2004 to investigate matters of significant public concern regarding NAMA. The Committee of Public Accounts has been holding hearings on this also. I referred this to Deputy Doherty at the committee meeting on Estimates recently. The committee had received a large amount of evidence from NAMA and many other interested parties, including some from outside the jurisdiction. I understand that the Committee of Public Accounts is to issue its report shortly and that statements on the establishment of the commission of investigation into NAMA were taken in the House on 1 February 2017. It was indicated on that occasion that the sensible thing to do is wait for the report of the Committee of Public Accounts before deciding on the next steps.

See this speech in context