Enda Kenny reminds Shane Ross of what he said about Fingleton

[Brendan Burgess]

Enda Kenny did a good job in the Dáil yesterday. Shane Ross laughed it off, but he still has not explained why he had never criticised the Irish Nationwide or Michael Fingleton.

Ross was asked about it on Morning Ireland today, but just laughed it off.

The bit about The Irish Nationwide starts at 4.40 on this clip

[broken link removed]

 

[Brendan Burgess]

The RTE Player has the original piece here. It starts at 2.50 and lasts for around two minutes.

Shane Ross : I understand that she (Christine Lagarde) may change her mind when she changes her job. People often do that.

Could I ask the Taoiseach if he would ask before he makes a decision what her position is and will be on corporate tax and on a reduction of our interest rate before he decides whether to support her candidature

Taoiseach: You are actually right about people changing their views when they change jobs. I knew it would come around some time. I recall on 28 March 2004 now Deputy Ross said “Michael Fingleton’s Irish Nationwide published a cracking set of figures”. And you went on to say

“All Fingleton’s figures are spectacular. Pre tax profits are up 20% and gross lending rose by up 72%.”

And you followed that by this saying “I should have bought into Irish Nationwide.
Anyone who has a spare 20 grand might still have time to carpet bag. “