Sinn Féin Calls For KPMG To Be Referred To DPP

Sinn Féin has called for KPMG to be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) over its role as auditor in Irish Nationwide.

David Cullinane TD made the call after the Chartered Accountants Regulatory Board (CARB) took the decision to refer Ernst and Young to the DPP for its role as auditor of Anglo Irish. This follows the comments by Judge Nolan in the Anglo trial that it "beggars belief" the accounts were signed off on by the accountancy firm.  

Deputy Cullinane called on CARB to do the same for KPMG, whose role in Irish Nationwide has similarly been questioned. He also asked how the DPP will deal with the issue of the Statute of Limitations in the case.

"I welcome the move by CARB to refer Ernst and Young to the DPP for their failure as Anglo's auditor during the most reckless period of that bank," Deputy Cullinane said.

"In 2014, my colleague Pearse Doherty wrote to CARB seeking an investigation into the role of KPMG at Irish Nationwide during this period. They replied at the time, saying they were holding off pending the end of the Banking Inquiry and ongoing criminal trials.

"Crucially CARB said in response that the Special Liquidators; 'are fully aware of the urgency of the matters due to the Statute of Limitations issue'. Leaving aside the nonsense that this implies that it up to KPMG whether to investigate KPMG, the fact that the Statute of Limitations has been recognised means we must now hear how the DPP will deal with it in the case of Ernst and Young."

(MH/CD)