Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding proposals, legislative and otherwise, for dealing with the affairs of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30257/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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At my request, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority has undertaken a comprehensive review of its corporate governance procedures, commissioning two reports in relation to its planning and financial management processes. In an associated summary overview report, the Authority's Executive Board has outlined the extensive programme of actions to address specific recommendations made in these reports, and it is confident that its current planning administration and financial management practices are robust. All of the reports concerned are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Arising from the comprehensive analysis and conclusions of the Authority's corporate governance review and acknowledging, in particular, the view of the Authority's Board regarding the need for a further investigation to deal with certain matters, the Government has decided to bring the Authority within the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The making of an Order giving effect to this decision is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

In relation to the Authority's financial situation, while the Authority remained in deficit in 2009, it has instigated a major series of reforms and cost-cutting measures, including a re-examination and prioritisation of all expenditure and a significant reduction in staff numbers and associated payroll costs, with a view to moving toward a financial break even position over the next two years. The Authority is in ongoing discussion with my Department and the Department of Finance in relation to its financial position.

In relation to the Authority's participation in the Becbay Joint Venture, established to purchase the Irish Glass Bottle Site, I understand that the loans taken out in the context of financing this transaction have now been transferred to the National Assets Management Agency and that NAMA has requested Becbay Ltd to submit a detailed business plan in relation to its outstanding debts by the end of July.