Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contact he has had to date with the National Asset Management Agency regarding the use of NAMA buildings for cultural purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36583/11]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has made any progress in commandeering some of the buildings held by the National Asset Management Agency for the benefit of the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36582/11]

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 32: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the progress that has been made to date in securing properties under the control of the National Asset Management Agency that might be suitable for use as local arts facilities; if he will list those properties in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36574/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 32 and 31 together.

I refer the Deputies to my answer to a number of previous Parliamentary Questions on this matter. I have met the chair and chief executive of NAMA in relation to the potential use of NAMA buildings for cultural purposes. NAMA was set up to acquire loans from certain financial institutions and it does not own property as such. In most cases, the property securing these loans is under the control of the debtor and will remain so as long as the debtor continues to meet his obligations. In the case of certain debtors, NAMA has taken enforcement action and the property securing the loans is now under the control of receivers or other insolvency agents appointed by NAMA. My Department will continue engagement with NAMA in instances where assets of shared interest arise.