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Dáil committee chairman calls for watchdog to release Project Eagle report

Claims about Nama sale were first raised in Dáil by Independent TD Mick Wallace
Claims about Nama sale were first raised in Dáil by Independent TD Mick Wallace Claims about Nama sale were first raised in Dáil by Independent TD Mick Wallace

THE Republic's public spending watchdog has been urged to publish its report into the sale of Nama's Northern Ireland loan portfolio.

The £1.25bn sale of Project Eagle has been mired in controversy since last summer when independent TD Mick Wallace alleged that millions of pounds of fixers' fees had been sent to an offshore bank account and was destined for a northern politician.

After the allegations surfaced, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) launched a probe into the sale and completed its report weeks ago.

The report was sent to the Republic's Minister of Finance Michael Noonan on August 9. He has up to three months to present the findings to the Dáil.

Public Accounts Committee Chairman Seán Fleming has called for the Project Eagle report's prompt publication.

"The Public Accounts Committee is keen that the C&AG report is put in the public domain as early as possible and has scheduled an initial meeting on 29 September to deal with the matter," the Fianna Fáil TD said.

"It is important the report is published promptly to enable committee members prepare for this meeting and enable us to conduct a productive and effective engagement, therefore, we are asking for the minister to publish the report within the next week."