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NAMA’s ‘Project Eagle’ to be raised at PAC

McGuinness also made reference to what he said was an effort to interfere with the work of the committee.

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Mr Robinson is quoted as saying “they did not align themselves with any particular buyer”.

Mr Daly told the committee that the UK’s National Crime Agency “is not in any way concerned” with NAMA’s role in the sale of Project Eagle.

“If that’s meant to intimidate us it doesn’t”, he added.

Independent TD Mick Wallace alleged that £7 million was channelled into an Isle of Man account, reportedly “earmarked for a Northern Ireland politician or political party”.

Mr Daly said a few of the assets may have been worth 50% but others were worth as little as 5%.

Mr Daly insisted the sale of the portfolio – comprised of loans issued to Northern Ireland-based business people in relation to 900 properties – was “conducted in line with best worldwide practice”.

Its chairman, Frank Daly, told the Dail Public Accounts Committee (PAC) the meeting took place “some weeks ago” and was attended by himself and Nama chief executive Brendan McDonagh.

The three discussed Nama’s decision to dispose of the 850-property loan book by auction, as opposed to accepting an unsolicited offer from Pimco.

He said the issue went beyond Northern Ireland.

Reacting to the release of the information by the minister, Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald said that the timing “feels like a manoeuvre”.

Mr Daly said he “does not agree that the bidding process had been corrupt” and said he would “absolutely stand over the integrity of the process”. I don’t understand what he’s doing there.

Mr McGuinness said it was a pity that committee members were not afforded the time to review the documents.

Speaking later during the hearing, the Sinn Féin chair of Northern Ireland’s Finance Committee Daithí McKay said that the reluctance of Nama to appear before the committee is “frustrating”.

Mr McKay said: “NAMA and others can not continue to use the excuse of the ongoing criminal investigation as a reason for not coming before the committee”.

Last night, the Department of Finance released 41 files – which show that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was included in a conference call about the sale – which he had previously claimed he was “kept in the dark” about.

McDonald added that she believed Michael Noonan should appear before PAC, as should Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson.

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Independent TD Shane Ross said the publication of the documents was “deliberate and markedly politically divisive”.

Nama Chairman Frank Daly and Nama chief executive Brendan McDonagh