This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-33407097

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Nama deal: Stormont Finance Committee inquiry aims to restore public confidence Nama deal: Stormont Finance Committee draws up witness list for inquiry
(35 minutes later)
A Stormont inquiry into the sale of Nama's Northern Ireland property loan portfolio will ask the questions the public are asking, the chair has said. Stormont MLAs have met to draw up a list of witnesses to quiz over the Nama loan sale, with one referring to what went on as "a dirty scheme."
Daithí McKay said public confidence must be restored after claims that a politician stood to gain from the deal. The Finance Committee produced a roll-call of individuals and organisations it wants evidence from, potentially beginning as early as next week.
The Sinn Féin MLA chairs the Northern Ireland Assembly's Finance Committee. Chief among them is Ian Coulter, former managing partner of law firm, Tughans.
The committee is examining claims, made in the Dáil (Irish Parliament) that £7m had been "reportedly earmarked" for a Northern Ireland politician. Unknown to the firm, he diverted funds to an Isle of Man bank account to facilitate payments to the deal fixers.
The claims, focused on an Isle of Man bank account, were made last week by independent Dáil member Mick Wallace. Sinn Féin MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir told the committee it was important Nama appeared.
Firms involved in the transaction have denied any wrongdoing. He said: "The feeling among the public is the sales process was compromised. If Nama was compromised that was a total betrayal of the public."
'Political involvement' 'Cloud'
In his opening remarks, Mr McKay warned committee members to "be responsible" during the inquiry.
"I don't think members should be controversial for the sake of it," he said.
"I think the most important thing is to drill down and get to the detail of this case. There is an issue of public confidence, there is an issue that has been raised in terms of some political involvement in this, we shouldn't pre-judge that."
Mr McKay said he wanted to invite those who were involved in the sale process to give evidence, but later added if witnesses did not accept invitations, the committee would consider using its powers to compel them to attend.
The sale, completed in April 2014, was the biggest ever property deal in Northern Ireland.
'Cast a shadow'
The Republic of Ireland's state-controlled National Asset Management Agency (Nama) sold its entire 850-property loan portfolio in Northern Ireland to the New York investment firm Cerberus for more than £1bn.The Republic of Ireland's state-controlled National Asset Management Agency (Nama) sold its entire 850-property loan portfolio in Northern Ireland to the New York investment firm Cerberus for more than £1bn.
Mr McKay initially listed Northern Ireland's Department of Finance and Personnel, the Belfast law firm Tughans, its former managing partner Ian Coulter, as well as former Nama Northern Ireland advisors Frank Cushnahan and Brian Rowntree among those he would like to question. The sale, completed in April 2014, was the biggest ever property deal in Northern Ireland.
Mr Coulter, who has since left Tughans, reportedly controlled the Isle of Man bank account. The committee is examining claims, made in the Dáil (Irish Parliament) that £7m had been "reportedly earmarked" for a Northern Ireland politician.
The chair also said it was "a priority that Cerberus come before us". The DUP's Paul Girvan said: There's enough of a cloud hanging over this place and now to have implications that there's a politician involved in what was a dirty scheme... it's vitally important we move as quickly as possible."
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) committee member Leslie Cree said: "It is important that the matter is investigated because it does sort of cast a shadow over all of us politicians, who get enough knocks, so I think it's important that we get to the actual root cause and establish the facts." Politicians
The committee proposed to set up hearings next week. The committee said if witnesses choose not to appear it can compel them to attend.
Those it wants to hear from include Nama Northern Ireland advisors Frank Cushnahan and Brian Rowntree.
But Dominic Bradley of the SDLP said some politicians should also appear and be questioned.
"I think it would be remiss of us to call legal personnel and business people and not call politicians," he said.
"There is evidence politicians met with PIMCO and they should be witnesses during our investigations."
Mr Coulter has stayed quiet to the media, others, including all the firms involved, have issued statements denying doing anything improper.
Tughans retrieved the money diverted from its account and Mr Coulter left the practice.