Mr. Brian McKeon:

We did the deal with the people in the local authority and they stood up to the deal. They were relatively easy to deal with. We kept our part and they kept their part. However, when it was handed over it became infuriating - infuriating at times to get the deal over the line, but even more so, particularly as an Irish taxpayer, to say, "Well, that's grand. Why are they sitting there?"

They would phone me asking what was the story with those houses to which the response would be that they are owned by the council, but 18 months later they were still owned by the council. If we do nothing else, that is a fundamental change that must be made to get benefit for the taxpayer. That is what everyone in this room wants and is looking for to make it work. An agency needs to come in that is completely focused, that will do its homework, spend the money and is accountable because I do not believe there is accountability when it comes to the local authorities.