Daði Már rejects criticism of his Landsvirkjun account

Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Daði Már Kristófersson says criticism of his explanations about Landsvirkjun is neither fair nor substantive, mbl.is reported. He gave an oral account of the company’s affairs in parliament on Wednesday, after opposition MPs urged him the previous day to explain the circumstances surrounding the resignation of former chief executive Hörður Arnarson.

Opposition MPs had accused Daði of misleading parliament about why Hörður resigned. Several welcomed the minister’s appearance but asked the parliament’s speaker to ensure he answered their questions clearly.

The dispute centred largely on an unscheduled question session on October 19. Daði said then that Hörður had resigned on his own initiative and that the issue concerned governance rather than the company’s strategy. Daði said he had described the information available to him at the time and stood by his answer. “I reject accusations that I was untruthful,” he said.

Daði also said he agreed that the ministry’s communications with Landsvirkjun’s board must not be interpreted by the EFTA Surveillance Authority as political interference.

Independence Party MP Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson said Daði’s account had disappointed him and accused the minister of breaching parliamentary procedure by withholding information that could significantly affect parliament’s assessment of the matter. Daði rejected the accusation, saying the former chief executive’s comments about communications with the board showed that they had different approaches and priorities on management, rather than a substantive disagreement.

Centre Party MP Bergþór Ólason asked why Daði had said there had been no board meetings without Hörður, when it later emerged that such meetings had taken place. Daði acknowledged that his earlier answers on the issue had not been adequate. He said the meetings without Hörður were held in connection with a memorandum the chief executive had sent about governance, and were also part of normal board practice without the chief executive present.