"Treasury's failure to discover the scope and scale of AIG's executive compensation obligations ... potentially resulted in a missed opportunity to avoid the explosively controversial events and created considerable public and congressional concern over the retention payments, " the report says.

FORBES: Business In The Beltway

"Well obviously there's considerable concern within my own party, the Green Party, and out there amongst the general public about some of the evidence emerging from the tribunal, and it's probably in the best interests now of everyone that a statement is made to clarify this by the taoiseach, " he said.

BBC: Ministers' concern on Ahern money