Nama deal claims - Clarification needed fast

When Nama was established, the potential for corruption was obvious so, quite properly, a raft of controls, many with the power of legislation, surround the agency and its affairs.

By its very nature, the agency must be — and almost as importantly, be seen to be — beyond reproach.

Conflicting reports emerged over the weekend about whether or not a property deal involving a former Nama employee and a property controlled by Nama had been sanctioned by the agency. The agency yesterday said it had no record of clearing the deal involving the former employee but the individual insists that he was given the appropriate clearance verbally.

This situation must be clarified quickly, far more quickly than is usually the case in business investigations in this country, because there is far too much at stake in terms of resources and credibility.