Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not think many people in the country would agree with the Minister. Speaking of a social dividend, when Dublin GAA failed to get the Spawell complex from NAMA, the CEO, John Costello, stated, "When the legislation went through the Dáil at committee stage the community development provision was added but I can't find any example of this being taken into account."

We understand the Davy Group is negotiating with and, by all accounts, treating Dublin GAA in a fair manner. If the notion of NAMA providing a social dividend was to have any meaning, the agency would have worked the Spawell facility towards Dublin GAA in the first instance. I do not understand NAMA's approach of selling the asset to someone who would subsequently sell it on to Dublin GAA. While I do not disagree with Westport House being taken out of the NAMA portfolio, I disagree with the political process surrounding the decision. It makes sense to remove assets that should remain in the hands of the State or a sports body. NAMA did not do that, however, and I do not understand the reason the Government stood idly by in this case.

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