Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to propose that No. 17 be taken before No. 1 in order to allow for publication of the NAMA and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Transparency Bill. I am sure Senator Higgins and others who are seeking transparency in NAMA will support the Bill, which allows for all the properties being sold by or on behalf of the agency to be listed on a website. In the past notifications have been placed in the newspapers in respect of properties that were sold. However, nobody knew that these were for sale. How is that good for the taxpayer? I used to be an auctioneer and I am aware that there are various ways of selling property. Doing so by way of backroom deals is not really in the interests of the taxpayer. If Senator Higgins wants to peruse the Bill to which I refer, she will discover that it clearly states that NAMA should sell all assets in an open and transparent manner and in the same way that State assets are disposed of.

Whether they are loans or property, they should be sold as if they are State assets. The Office of Public Works sells all State assets by tender or public auction. The banks, which manage loan books on behalf of the National Asset Management Agency, should sell these assets in the same manner at the OPW as that would create full confidence in NAMA and its activities.

I support Senator Norris's call to invite the Pope to visit Ireland. He is a living example of the church he leads. He not only speaks about how people should act but acts in accordance with his words.