Agency oversight the key issue for opposition

WHO will watch NAMA, and ensure the taxpayer’s interest is protected? That was the key question for the opposition on day one of the committee stage of the NAMA legislation.

The committee stage is where TDs go through the proposed legislation with a fine tooth comb and suggest ways of improving it. These proposed amendments are debated, and either accepted or rejected.

It’s no exaggeration to say this is the crucial phase of the process. The opposition vehemently opposes NAMA, but knows the Government has the numbers to push it through. This is the stage where reality takes hold – instead of futile attempts to defeat the legislation, the opposition tries to amend it.