Government denies Kenny misled Dáil over Anglo contacts

A Government spokesman has rejected Fianna Fáil claims that Taoiseach Enda Kenny mislead the Dáil over his contacts with Anglo Irish Bank executives while he was leader of the Opposition.

“Any contacts between Fine Gael and the banks during the banking crisis were aimed at highlighting the impact that the continuing uncertainty about the banking system and its impact on credit availability was having on businesses and jobs,” said the spokesman.

He declined to make any further comment about the controversy which has arisen following the publications of more Anglo tapes transcripts in today’s Sunday Independent.

The paper reported that the tapes show that Mr Kenny was in contact with Matt Moran, chief financial officer with Anglo Irish Bank, in November 2008.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin claimed this contradicts previous assertions by Mr Kenny that he was in contact with Anglo executives on a date previous to that mentioned in the paper.

"This would appear to be a very serious development. In recent weeks, we watched as the Taoiseach reacted to the Anglo Tapes, undermined the independence of an Oireachtas inquiry and compromised his office in talking about an 'axis of collusion' without a scrap of evidence," said Mr Martin.

He added that the disclosure suggested that the Taoiseach had deliberately misled the Dáil in response to the Anglo Tape story by not disclosing the contact while referring to a meeting with Anglo executives in September 2008.

"Another question which arises is where Mr Kenny received the information he was passing on to Anglo. If it was based on confidential briefings from the finance minister Brian Lenihan, it raises further questions about Mr Kenny's behaviour.

“Unlike Mr Kenny, Fianna Fáil is committed to due process. The Taoiseach needs to make a comprehensive statement explaining the revelations in the media report and he needs to do so immediately,” said Mr Martin