Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I echo what Senator Fitzgerald said by expressing regret that the Minister did not accept more amendments from the Labour Party, Fine Gael and the Opposition in general. The Labour Party had and continues to have serious concerns about NAMA as an institution. I do not wish to rehash them but the main concern pertains to the level of risk taken on by the taxpayer. However, the Labour Party also expressed concerns during the debates in the Seanad and Dáil on the secretive culture, the lack of transparency and so on. It tabled amendments aimed at giving protection to whistleblowers in a similar style to this amendment. I welcome the amendment to the amendment, given that it will extend whistleblower protection to employees of NAMA group entities, as well as to those of NAMA itself. However, the Labour Party retains serious concerns about the running of NAMA. They pertain to both its basic premise and the lack of transparency regarding various aspects of NAMA such as the valuation panels, in particular. However, in so far as the amendment gives protection to whistleblowers, it is to be welcomed.