Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assume the local authority cannot levy itself. Who will levy the local authority?

I know we have an opportunity to submit amendments up until tomorrow. On Second Stage I raised a question on the considerable number of development sites that NAMA controls. I wish to ensure that any property under the care and control of NAMA is treated in the same way as if NAMA owned the property. We know that in many instances developers are restricted in what they can do. NAMA is part of the key to addressing the housing shortage, and it can play a major role. NAMA controls property and it should be working with developers and funding them to that end.

NAMA has been in existence for seven years and does not really have much to show in terms of addressing the housing shortage. What was envisaged by Government, in view of the report commissioned by the Department of Finance which showed that we need to build 30,000 houses per annum, was that NAMA would address that need. NAMA is clapping itself on the back after announcing that 4,500 houses would be built in the greater Dublin area by 2016, with the possibility of an additional 20,000 houses around the country in the next five years or so. This is a drop in the ocean when one considers the housing need. It is important that NAMA comes within the definition of "owner" and that it is clarified that NAMA will be held liable when vacant site charges are placed on properties.