Why Cardiff’s evidence was a turning point

Kevin Cardiff was in the room at the time of the bank guarantee, and was involved in all aspects of the state’s response to the financial crisis

Kevin Cardiff arrives to give evidence to the Oireachtas Banking Inquiry at Leinster House in Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Kevin Cardiff arrives to give evidence to the Oireachtas Banking Inquiry at Leinster House in Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Kevin Cardiff does a good line in graveyard humour; those who have stared into the abyss often do. The former Department of Finance secretary-general’s appearance at the banking inquiry last Thursday was the most hotly anticipated so far, but you wouldn’t have known it for the quips he rolled out.

Early in his evidence, he dryly ...