Greens to seek ‘crucial’ banking and planning reform as part of NAMA revamp

THE Green Party is to seek further banking reform, a renewed emphasis on good planning and improved regulation of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) as part of amendments to the upcoming legislation.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan yesterday said more banking reform was vital if the taxpayer was giving €54 billion to NAMA. These three “crucial changes” will be sought as part of a vital ballot by the party members next month on a revamped programme for Government and NAMA. The Greens’ support is vital to the Government maintaining the necessary two-thirds majority to pass NAMA.

Mr Ryan said there must be “a complete change in banking culture”. He also called for an “increased social dividend” in the legislation where the tenets of good planning were centrepiece to future construction.