Golden Circles Close: Lenihan will decide on any action over former Anglo chief

[FakeViking]

Lenihan will decide on any action over former Anglo chief - The Irish Times - Tue, Sep 29, 2009

MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan has reserved ultimate control over dealings between the nationalised Anglo Irish Bank and its former chairman Seán FitzPatrick, and reserved control over its engagement with the legal inquiries into its affairs.

This reads like the script of a cheap airport thriller at this stage.

The pact also gives the Minister ultimate power over all of Anglo’s material actions in respect of commencing, defending, conducting or settling legal actions “to which a director or former director or any connected persons of a director is a party”.

A politican is now deciding on who should face justice. Bananas anyone?

[TimBuckII]

What on earth makes Lenihan think we trust him anymore than we do Fitzpatrick? If this is about restoring confidence they have failed.

[leroy42]

On the flip side, isn't this the sort of "only person responsible" that we need? Many of the problems facing us are down to the fact that ministers can shift responsibility around to different people, reports, quango's etc.

The buck surely stop with Lenihan over any and all decisions as he has the final, ultimate say.

While it maybe true to ask the question as to why should we trust him on this, or any other matter, the fact is he is taking it upon his own shoulders.

Of course the key component, and one I believe he is betting won't happen based on all previous experience, is that the public and media must stay focused on this over the coming years to ensure that all decisions are investigated and subsequently reviewed.

[Capt Blah]

What on earth makes Lenihan think we trust him anymore than we do Fitzpatrick? If this is about restoring confidence they have failed.

You are right - however, this shabby administration are blatantly giving their old pals as much of a leg up as possible. They know that they are dead in the water come election day, and that they may all need a few new brown envelopes in the near future. So they need to keep their rich pals rich!

[FakeViking]

Of course the key component, and one I believe he is betting won't happen based on all previous experience, is that the public and media must stay focused on this over the coming years to ensure that all decisions are investigated and subsequently reviewed.

Some chance:

Citing commercial sensitivity and the financial interests of the State, the Department of Finance blanked out a large volume of other material dealing with the bank’s €4 billion recapitalisation by the Government, its preparation of a new business plan and the recruitment of Australian banker Mike Aynsley as its new chief executive

The taxpayer's only involvement is paying for this. The old maxim is "Justice must be done, and be seen to be done". This is selective justice in secret decided by politicans.

[stanley]

Lenihan will decide on any action over former Anglo chief - The Irish Times - Tue, Sep 29, 2009



This reads like the script of a cheap airport thriller at this stage.



A politican is now deciding on who should face justice. Bananas anyone?

In fairness, to whom else could the responsibility be with as the MoF is the individual at the top, anyone else would be a political appointee of sorts.

More than likely by the time we get to the described position, Lenny wont be there.

[TimBuckII]

You are right - however, this shabby administration are blatantly giving their old pals as much of a leg up as possible. They know that they are dead in the water come election day, and that they may all need a few new brown envelopes in the near future. So they need to keep their rich pals rich!

I thought that was what NAMA was about. By the time it matures FF will have spent a short time in opposition and have the backing of NAMA to help get them back in power.

[DCon]

I think this is dodgy for 2 reasons.

Can't trust FF

Lenihan is a lawyer, and is married to a judge, and fair enough he probably knows the law fairly well.

But future Finance Ministers may not be lawyers and as this case is set to drag on for years it will mean future MoF will have to get massive legal advice before acting.

[Digout]

More importantly here, how the Lenny wangle this? Cowen's orders again?

[Iarmhi Gael]

What it really means

reserved ultimate control = Nothing will come out of this folks
Lenihan will decide on any action over former Anglo chief = Jaysus Seanie the lengths we've gonbe to protect you, ya little B*****x. You owe me a drink next time I see you
reserved control over its engagement with the legal inquiries into its affairs = The gardai have no powers and can do f**k all
Sweeping in its scope = FF have full control
Anglo will be the biggest participant in the Nama project = Operation Galway Tent bailout
He has the same power over any legal proceedings relating to Anglo’s “legacy issues" = Golden Circle and Seanie Fitz can sleep easy -
The agreement, which says one of its purposes is to ensure Anglo remains separate from the Minister, gives him scope to amend the list of reserved matters from time to time = When time comes that FF are not in government this matter will be dealt with and signed off as finished - "Nothing more to see here folks"