John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate my compliments to NAMA on what has been an extraordinary achievement when one looks back to the time of the board's appointment and when one considers that NAMA is two years ahead of its targets. While I compliment the chairman on the leadership given in this regard, I have one or two queries.

In the context of the present position with regard to small businesspeople, I refer to the consortia comprised of small businesses and professionals. Is it correct that they have been left until last, after NAMA has dealt with all the major debtors and portfolios? We now are down to such consortia, which are to be found nationwide and which were made up of legal figures, doctors and similar professionals. Does NAMA have an estimated number of small business owners and professionals involved in such consortiums at present? Up to now, NAMA has not been dealing with that sector aggressively, as it dealt with large portfolios.

Second, I refer to the perspective of large construction companies, many of which went out of business over the period on foot of the wrong decisions that were made. At present there is a conundrum, if one is talking about igniting the economy, with regard to the aforementioned consortia of small businesses and those professional developers or construction companies that are out of business. Perhaps Mr. McDonagh might deal with two questions. How will NAMA deal with the consortia of small businesses who are to be found in every town or village? I note that 200,000 companies employ 700,000 people. I listened closely to what he said about quantifying the best interests of the taxpayer. How does NAMA quantify the best interests of the taxpayer when dealing with these consortia of small business people? Second, how does NAMA propose to ignite the construction economy, which is cash-strapped at present and cannot get the money?