Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

This is a similar body with a different role and it will work parallel to, and in co-operation with, the NTMA. Expertise on technical and structural issues will be found in the NRA or any other agency this new body will be dealing with and need not be duplicated in the NDFA. The new agency will bring many benefits. It is expected that these will include maximising value for money by helping State authorities avail of the best finance package for capital projects from non-Exchequer sources, taking the pressure off the Exchequer and off the taxpayer. It will be able to identify the funds, the system and the mechanism of delivering the finance in co-operation with the other agencies. It will apply commercial standards in terms of evaluating financial risks and costs for each project. It will be able to evaluate those risks and decide whether there will be a strain on the finances of the State if a particular route is followed.