Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

We are not requesting the properties for nothing. We have paid for them. We have certainly bailed out many people in doing so. We have helped to get many developers out of hot water. I do not accept we are asking for the houses for nothing.

The Minister of State said the scheme may result in a short-term gain, but in the longer term it is not in the best interest of the country. It is certainly not in the interest of the State that we are paying developers to pay off NAMA. It does not make sense. We should consider another way of doing business. The Minister of State is saying there is a legal requirement based on the approach we have taken. It appears as if we are helping developers who got themselves into trouble and paying them on the double.

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