Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

The equivalent of Committee of Public Accounts Standing Orders are being extended to the committee dealing with NAMA. The Minister's view is that the point made in the Labour Party amendment is adequately covered by the text already in the legislation.

There are, in particular in regard to a body like NAMA, important confidence issues which cannot be disregarded. These apply to institutions such as the Central Bank and other institutions that have particularly sensitive functions, which makes this provision particularly important. I had not heard, as I have not had an opportunity to listen to any news bulletins, that Dr. Somers is retiring from his post. I have known Dr. Somers for a long time. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to him as an absolutely outstanding public servant-----