Call for appeal to Clinton on Garland extradition

SEANAD REPORT:THE AMBASSADOR to Washington should contact the new US administration, especially secretary of state Hillary Clinton, to demand that the request for the extradition of Seán Garland be dropped, Joe O'Toole (Ind) said.

“It seemed ridiculous that the Bush administration had sought the extradition of Mr Garland on a trumped-up charge of possibly having some involvement in a North Korean counterfeiting of American dollars. Mr Garland was 74 years of age and was suffering from cancer. He had moved down the road to the political world.”

Labhrás Ó Murchú (FF) said Mr Garland had been a strong supporter of the peace process on this island. The extradition request had been signed by the former American secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice who had been part of the Bush regime. US president Barack Obama had talked about a new regime of diplomacy. “There is an opportunity to extend this regime of diplomacy, friendship and holding out the hand in this very small case of Mr Garland.”

Seanad leader Donie Cassidy said he fully agreed with the sentiments that had been expressed about a new beginning under President Obama. He would immediately pass the senator’s urgent request to the Minister.

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If the Taoiseach did not know the identity of the 10 investors in Anglo Irish Bank who had been bailed out, in effect, to the tune of €300 million, he should have known, Frances Fitzgerald, Fine Gael leader in the House, said. “Perhaps he does know but will not come clean.”

Joe O’Toole (Ind) said he did not believe a legal impediment was preventing the Taoiseach from finding out the names of the people in this instance. “He has said he does not know who they are. That is wrong and unacceptable. I believe he should know.”

Alan Kelly (Lab) said it was absolutely ridiculous to suggest that people in a “can’t lose” bet could not be named. The Financial Regulator had stated that it believed initially that what had happened was all above board, but it had changed its mind when new information had emerged.

David Norris (Ind) said it interested him that the regulator had been satisfied by a response from lawyers who had been operating in the interests of Anglo. He thought that showed a conflict of interest.