'No block' on housing tsar's post

Taoiseach: Coalition partners didn't veto McDonagh

- BY LOUISE BURNE

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin yesterday denied Tanaiste Simon Harris “blocked” the appointment of NAMA chief Brendan McDonagh as housing tsar.

He also suggested Housing Minister James Browne even spoke to Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe about seconding him from the National Treasury Management Agency and NAMA.

Mr McDonagh was expected to head the new Housing Activation Office but Fine Gael had reservations about the speculation before it was discussed between the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste.

Mr Browne told RTE on Tuesday that Mr McDonagh was his “preferred candidate”.