NAMA allegation referral
Deputy McGrath alleged serious wrongdoing by NAMA in relation to a Clonmel development and called for a high-level investigation. The Chair warned him about identification, and the Tánaiste repeatedly said allegations of fraud or Revenue interference should be referred to An Garda Síochána and other proper authorities.
With all that is going on in RTÉ at the moment, when will there be an investigation into the conduct of the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA? I have been contacted by Mr. John Fraher, a hard-working businessman in Clonmel who has been working since he was 13 years of age. He is alleging that his tax number was fraudulently used by officials from NAMA and then attempts were made to cover it up over the Clonmel Park Hotel. It is a nice hotel and development that was this man's brainchild. He worked hard at it. Agents from NAMA used Mr. Fraher's tax number illegally, he alleges, and a company called Bonaventura Clonmel Limited took over the assignment of the Clonmel Park Hotel. This introduction coincided with the suspect removal of Mr. Fraher's tax number.
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I am not. Parts of land that were traditionally owned by South Tipperary County Council have now been acquired by this company. This all sounds very murky. We had Project Eagle. Is this going to be project Cluain Meala? It is a lovely name, meaning the vale of honey. There are serious questions to be answered here about persons who were on the board of NAMA and interfered with Revenue and everything else. I want this investigated at the highest level. We saw how former Deputy Mick Wallace had to continually raise the issue of Project Eagle. This is a very serious allegation that has been put to me and the county council. I have asked parliamentary questions but cannot get answers. Answers need to be got and NAMA needs to be investigated in respect of Mr. Fraher's allegations.
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That is his own business. I have encouraged-----
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It is not his own business. The Deputy has raised it in the House and if fraud is alleged----
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-----and if interference with Revenue is alleged, it should go to An Garda. I say that generally because the key to the future of the country is that our institutions that are charged with properly investigating issues do their job and then we will have less need for inquiries that go on for six or seven years and cost an enormous amount. Project Eagle and the Siteserv investigation went on for I do not know how long. We need to back up capacity behind the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and An Garda. That is where we have to go. The Deputy should refer the matter to An Garda. They are serious allegations.