Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Monday) called on NAMA to drop the veil of secrecy and be open and transparent with the public about its property portfolio and sales process.

“I believe that NAMA has a habit of keeping details of property sales closely guarded making it difficult for members of the public to view and purchase properties in its portfolio. I am very concerned about this practice and I am calling on NAMA to be more open and transparent about how it puts all of its land and properties up for sale.

“It is crucial that ordinary members of the public have full visibility of NAMA’s property portfolio and that properties are not just being sold to a select group of people. NAMA is obliged to get the maximum price for land and property it has acquired. If these properties and land are being sold behind closed doors, then the taxpayer is being short-changed.

“I am calling on NAMA to publish its entire property portfolio, including all properties that have already been sold, and for how much, as well as what properties and land it currently has for sale. NAMA should also reveal how land and properties are valued and how they subsequently decide on a sale price. This should all be published on NAMA’s website, which at the moment is difficult to navigate, especially when searching for properties for sale.

“I have raised this in the Dáil on two occasions, specifically in relation to Booterstown Marsh in Dublin where two interested parties enquired about the sale of the Marsh from NAMA but were told that the sale had already been agreed, despite no ‘For Sale’ sign ever being erected. After I raised this in the Dáil, a ‘For Sale’ sign was subsequently erected.”

“NAMA needs to step up and answer the many questions people have about how it conducts its business.”