The former CEO of Anglo Irish Bank, Sean FItzpatrick, and two other executives have been excused from the Banking Inquiry.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has written to the inquiry saying any evidence they give might prejudice a criminal investigation.
Fitzpatrick, former head of treasury John Bowe, and former director of lending Pat Whelan, had all been scheduled to appear before the inquiry within the next two weeks.
Last week each had written to the committee asking to be exempted because of ongoing criminal proceedings, a request which was refused.
But the law also allows people in such situations to apply to the DPP to be exempted from the inquiry, and it's been confirmed this evening that Claire Loftus has written giving a declaration which requires the three men to be excused.
The participation of another former Anglo executive, the head of Irish lending Tom Browne, has been cast into doubt as he has refused to comply with an order of the committee.
He was due to appear on Friday week, but the matter has now been referred to the Gardaí.
Separately the inquiry says it HAS received a written statement from Anglo's former CEO David Drumm, ahead of his scheduled appearance in a fortnight, but the statement is undergoing legal review before it can be accepted.
