Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

Like other Senators and Senator Zappone, I condemn the violent crime that took place in Tallaght in my area of Dublin South-West. I offer my sympathy to the family of the 16 year old girl. I also commend Senator Zappone on raising the issue of prostitution. Most of us watched the programme on that on television last night and were shocked by it. I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it is one I had also planned to raise.

The issue I wish to raise today concerns the Freedom of Information Act and how it does not apply to NAMA. Will the Leader ask the Minister responsible - I presume it is the Minister for Finance - to come in and make a statement on why this is the case? Approximately three months ago, the Information Commissioner, Emily O'Reilly, made a ruling when an online journalist took a case that NAMA should and could come under the ruling on freedom of information. This morning we read in the press how NAMA has spent €27 million on legal fees, of which it said it had recouped €10 million. Still, it is a considerable spend on legal fees. Nobody, not even journalists who submit freedom of information requests, seems to be able to discover the value of properties in general. For that reason, NAMA should be open to freedom of information requests. Will the Leader ask the Minister to come to the House to discuss NAMA and freedom of information? Hopefully, we will have that discussion in the near future.