Drumm offers to address inquiry via video link

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has called on David Drumm to cooperate fully with the Banking Inquiry.

Drury had suggested using Gray to approach Cowen, according to Drumm.

The Irish Examiner understands the plan was discussed during a private inquiry meeting last night and will be signed off on later today after the banker formally refused to turn up. Gray is expected to appear in September.

Mr Drumm is scheduled to give evidence to the inquiry next Wednesday, but he has asked to do so via videolink from the United States.

Mr Drumm moved to the US six months after resigning from Anglo Irish Bank in December 2008.

If it does accept the witness statement as evidence, it must then consider whether this constitutes compliance with the direction issued by the committee.

Such questioning has never taken place, despite former RTÉ Washington correspondent Charlie Bird seeking to “doorstep” him in 2010 which led to Mr Drumm calling the police, and suggestions the Government could seek to extradite him.

“I have, I suppose, a difficulty with that”, she said.

He has already supplied a written statement to the Inquiry.

But Mr McGrath issued a point blank refusal to facilitate Mr Drumm giving evidence from overseas.

The Fianna Fail finance spokesperson said: “Allowing Mr Drumm to give evidence to the Banking Inquiry on his terms from the US – while at the same time he refuses to cooperate with the Irish criminal justice system – should not be acceptable to a committee of our national parliament”. “I will not support or play any part in such an exercise”.

Senior sources at the committee have told UTV Ireland they will make a decision on the offer after receiving legal advice.