Mr. Brian Rowntree:

They were very regulated environments. They were very formal, with agendas set by the chairperson. There were very carefully controlled discussions in the room. We had meetings that gave rise to discussions about whether they were proceeding to put a portfolio into administration or were considering the administration of certain aspects of the portfolio. They would give us that information. They would not name the debtor but they would say they were moving on certain aspects of the portfolio that could have an impact on Northern Ireland. We discussed issues around the valuation of lands. These were not specific valuations but how land in general was moving in Northern Ireland and whether there had been any considered uptake in interest in lands in Northern Ireland. We looked at the aspects of commercial, industrial and residential in broad terms, not in key, specific terms. Meetings tended to last between two and two and a half hours.