Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Finance if the National Assets Management Agency has undertaken a study of the number of public infrastructure projects such as schools, harbours, roads, council land banks and so on currently impacted on by NAMA administering land which is preventing access to the necessary public sites; if he will provide details of such sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15658/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by NAMA that the scenario put forward by the Deputy i.e. restrictions on access to publicly funded projects through land administered by NAMA, has not been a significant issue for NAMA. I am further advised by NAMA that it has not carried out any specific study on restrictions. However, I am informed that NAMA works constructively with all public bodies in relation to any matter that may relate to or overlap with the public infrastructure development planning processes. Where issues have emerged in a very small number of cases, I understand from NAMA that it has expeditiously resolved those matters.

Should the Deputy have a specific instance in mind, NAMA have assured me that he should raise the matter directly with the agency who will immediately address his concerns in this regard.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Finance the current status of the National Assets Management Agency's deferred consideration initiative, a scheme which was first announced by NAMA in May 2011 to effectively provide mortgages which attempt to safeguard buyers from negative equity; if permission for this initiative has been received from the European Commission; his views on this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15659/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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My Department has had discussions with the European Commission on the deferred mortgage consideration initiative and arising from those discussions NAMA has had discussions with the Competition Authority. I expect the discussions with the European Commission to conclude shortly. I am informed by NAMA that they have completed the preparatory work including identifying pilot properties and they are working towards an early April launch date for the initiative.