Mr. Brendan McDonagh:

That is not really relevant in terms of NAMA but I will be open and frank with the Deputy. There was a lot of speculation in newspapers for a number of weeks. Nobody had discussed anything with me. The first time I met the Secretary General of the Department of housing was on 10 April. We had a general discussion. I subsequently got a call inviting me to meet the Minister, Deputy Browne, on 16 April, the Wednesday before Holy Thursday of the Easter weekend. The Minister outlined what he wanted the SHAO to do. I should add that this was not a role I sought or ever canvassed for, I want to be absolutely clear about that. The Minister, Deputy Browne, said my name had been mentioned in many circles as being somebody who might have appropriate skills to help and asked would I be prepared to let him propose my name to the Cabinet sub-committee and the Government. After talking with him, I agreed. That was my only discussion about the role with the Minister, Deputy Browne.