Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that the Taoiseach attend the Chamber to discuss NAMA and his statement last week about his sources and what they told him. It is unusual that the Taoiseach agrees with me on concerns about developers buying back property. The Taoiseach has since rowed back but I maintain my position. My sources are willing to meet the Taoiseach to explain how this is going on but I am sure the Taoiseach is well aware of it. My information comes from a confidential source. We often get information from sources who ask that their identities remain undisclosed. It helps us to do our job because, if we disclose our sources, people will not trust us with information.

Many people in public life were given information about planning corruption in Dublin up to 20 years ago but they failed to act. They did not introduce necessary legislation to punish those who behaved incorrectly. Thus, there was a major loss to the taxpayer. As a result, we have numerous calls for a tribunal after the event. A tribunal on planning went on for ten years, had an army of barristers and cost almost €100 million. I do not propose a tribunal on the aftermath of NAMA, I propose we should act now.

I also find it unusual that the chairman of NAMA is in agreement with me regarding the NAMA website. On 27 January I proposed that every property under the control of NAMA should be put up on the NAMA website. Last week the chairman said there would be such website, where all properties are shown. This will not apply to all property, only property over which NAMA has control through liquidators and receivers. NAMA is in control of some €72 billion worth of assets but not all of that will be on the website. Much of it will be sold by the developers, which is the kernel of the issue. Developers should not be in charge of the sale of their assets because it is open to corruption.