Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

At the same time it is of critical importance that NAMA, as an organisation, is brought to hold itself to account in a meaningful fashion through freedom of information and through the Oireachtas.

I congratulate Deputy Fleming and note it is important that citizens have trust in the institutions of the State. It is important that they have confidence and trust in the agencies of the State and that if they seek information, it will be forthcoming freely and quickly and will be made available unhindered and without breach of faith or trust. For all these reasons, I hope that Deputy Fleming's Bill will be enacted in full as quickly as possible and that the other legislative items proposed by the Government will be brought forward to enable the entire process to move quickly. In the meantime, I note the Minister of State has partial responsibility for the agency because of his position in the Department of Finance. I believe NAMA is undermining public confidence in an institution that handles billions of euro worth of assets on behalf of everyone in this country and if things are not done in an open and transparent fashion, it could burden people with large bills.

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