Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The issue I have is that if the witnesses are saying 2020 was not a valid option for consideration by the Department of Finance, where did they communicate this to NAMA? In summer 2013, the agency adopted the rate of 5.5%, with the possibility of some exceptions. There was a very minor qualification but the Department is essentially saying at this stage that, in light of our leaving the troika arrangement and the bailout, the year 2020 was not an option. If the Department believes this, it should have been conveyed to NAMA and the Comptroller and Auditor General should have been able to pick up on it in the knowledge that 2020 was not an option. NAMA still seems to be working on that basis but the Department of Finance has a different view. Does the Minister understand where I am coming from?