Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sure there is but I would suggest a more robust mechanism. However, that is probably a matter for Government.

Deputy Costello raised the issue of the docklands, as perhaps did others. This comes down to NAMA as an entity, the scale of it and obviously the scale of the plans conceived for the docklands and the reality that, in its former incarnation, the development of that part of town fell short of many of the social expectations of the communities which live there. There are very grand plans to develop commercial units and increase residential space but NAMA will accept that these are very long-established and bedded in residential communities, some of which have experienced very severe inter-generational poverty. Parts of these areas have very high levels of long-term unemployment. Many of the young people in the areas, who are full of potential and so on, have not been afforded access to all of the educational opportunities which would assist them.

How conscious is NAMA of this idea of a social dividend in respect of this development? What influence will NAMA have on that? What kind of access will local communities and their representatives have to NAMA in the course of this development? Speaking quite parochially, as one of the representatives of those communities, it would be an absolute disaster if one had shiny commercial development, including new residential development, on the one hand and the established communities left behind again on the other, because this has been the experience of these communities. I would like an assurance from NAMA that there will be considerable access. I would like to extend an offer to NAMA to meet local people. I know there has been some contact but it should continue. Those at the highest level in NAMA should make themselves available to listen and respond to the needs of the communities.