James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive reply. She referred to NAMA's commitment to offer first option to public bodies on the purchase of properties. It is important that community groups should be included where there is community involvement.

Regardless of whether we like it, NAMA is perceived as being an exercise in cronyism directed at shoring up bankers and property developers who in many cases were the cause of the current economic crisis. Perhaps the Minister of State can confirm or deny a rumour that is circulating, namely, that NAMA properties are being sold back to developers and that the very developers who were responsible for the economic downturn have a less than healthy involvement in the administration of NAMA.

It is the responsibility of every agency in the State to do what is needed to get Ireland back on the road to recovery. NAMA should be playing a greater role and it must explore ways by which it can provide finance for commercial entities and, in particular, small and medium-sized businesses as part of all our efforts to restart the economy and support jobs. It is a role NAMA should play but that is not how its actions are perceived by the public.

I particularly want to see community groups involved. The Minister of State said there was a commitment to offer first option to public bodies but community groups feel they are not getting a fair crack of the whip. In small villages and communities, the option may never arise again for them to avail of such properties if they are, in turn, off-loaded to a developer.

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