Government majority on banking inquiry in doubt after Seanad committee vote

The Government’s majority on the banking inquiry is in doubt after a Seanad committee voted to place two Opposition Senators on the long-awaited investigation.

The Seanad committee on selection, which appoints members of the Upper House on committees, met last night to decide whom to place on the banking inquiry.

It had been expected the two Seanad members to sit on the nine-member panel would be split between the Government and Opposition.

However, a number of Coalition members were missing from the committee and it voted to put Fianna Fáil’s Marc Mac Sharry and Trinity Senator Seán Barrett (Ind) on the banking inquiry.

It is understood Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s office instructed Coalition members to support Mr Barrett and Labour’s Susan O’Keeffe. Mr Barrett was selected unanimously, while Mr MacSharry was accepted by five votes to three. Ms O’Keeffe was rejected by four votes to three.

The result, if it stands, means the nine-member banking inquiry will have only four Government members: chairman and Labour TD Ciarán Lynch and Fine Gael TDs Eoghan Murphy, Kieran O’Donnell and John Paul Phelan.