Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Finance the payscales that will be applicable to staff who will be employed by the National Asset Management Agency; if the scales will be linked to public sector pay rates; the duration of contracts to be offered to staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21189/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Asset Management Agency Act 2009 (Section 42) provides that all officers of NAMA are National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) employees with specified purpose contracts linked to the life of NAMA. The remuneration packages of all NTMA staff are negotiated on an individual contract basis and are confidential.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps that are being taken to deal with conflicts of interest which may arise with staff of the National Asset Management Agency and the work in which they will be involved; if consideration will be given to such matters in the recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21190/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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There is a rigorous appointment process regarding officers of NAMA by the NTMA, which fully deals with any actual or potential conflicts of interest. It is a condition of assignment as an officer of NAMA that there is no material conflict of interest. Each employee of NTMA assigned as a NAMA Officer has to complete a statement of assets, liabilities and interests where all matters are disclosed.

Furthermore, the NAMA legislation provides safeguards in the event of conflicts of interest arising after appointment to NAMA. Sections 22 and 40 of the NAMA Act 2009 provide that the Minister may remove an appointed member of the Board or the CEO if he considers a material conflict of interest has arisen. Section 43 of the Act provides that the CEO may suspend an officer of NAMA if in his opinion a material conflict of interest has arisen.

In light of these safeguards I am confident that NAMA will deal with any potential conflict of interest in an appropriate manner.