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Tuesday, 22 Jan 2019

Written Answers Nos. 89-111

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (89)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

89. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the amount spent in each of the past five years on accountancy and consultancy firms in respect of capital projects; and the specific capital project in respect of which the costs were incurred. [2300/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department had no capital budget for the years in question and therefore had no expenditure with accountancy or consultancy firms in relation to such projects.

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Ceisteanna (90)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

90. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach if Cabinet committee F (National Security) has recently met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2496/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Cabinet Committee F last met on 8 February last year. The meeting was attended by Ministers and Senior Officials from the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform; Foreign Affairs and Trade; Justice and Equality; Health; Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Transport, Tourism and Sport; Housing, Planning and Local Government; and Defence.

Arrangements are being made for the next meeting of Cabinet Committee F but a date is not yet finalised.

The role of Cabinet Committee F is "to keep the State's systems for the analysis of, preparation for, and response to, threats to national security under review and to provide high-level coordination between relevant Departments and agencies on related matters". Work on national security issues continues.

Last month, the Government approved ‘A Policing Service for the Future’ - the Government's 4 year Plan to implement the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland including the establishment of a Strategic Threat Analysis Centre. My Department is leading on the implementation of the Plan's actions on the STAC.

As the Commission's work deals with national security and policing issues, it has been considered by Cabinet Committee G, which includes all relevant Ministers. Cabinet Committee G will receive regular progress reports on its implementation.

Commissions of Investigation

Ceisteanna (91)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

91. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has received a reply from a person (details supplied) regarding his request for a further interim report in 2019. [2683/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following receipt of the IBRC Commission’s Fifth Interim Report in November 2018, I consulted with opposition representatives regarding the Commission’s request for a further extension of its reporting deadline. There was a strong shared concern about the level of progress achieved by the Commission to date, the timeframe now proposed for concluding the first module of the Commission’s work, and the risks of further delays and cost escalations.

I subsequently wrote to the Commission on 19 December 2018 and requested a further Interim Report from the Commission, under section 33 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, with:

- any interim findings or conclusions which the Commission is in a position to make at this stage;

- any options which the Commission believes would reduce the timeframe and/or cost for production of a final report on the first module of the investigation;

- the Commission’s view of risks to completion of the first module of the investigation within the requested new timeframe (i.e. end-March 2020); and

- the Commission’s best estimate of the likely final costs of the first module.

I also extended the Commission’s timeframe until the end of March 2019.

I have not yet received a reply to my letter from the Commission. When a reply is received, I will consult opposition party representatives on the issues arising.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (92)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

92. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will publish the airline costs for his Department for 2018. [2699/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The total amount spent on air travel by my Department for 2018 was €193,560.03. This includes the cost of commercial flights taken by myself, Ministers of State, officials and advisers travelling on official business, particularly in the context of managing EU, British-Irish and international relations. A breakdown of spend between specific airlines is not available.

Detailed information on foreign travel costs for myself, advisers and senior officials who travel with me, as well as costs related to the Government Chief Whip and Ministers of State, are published on a monthly basis on my Department's website (www.taoiseach.gov.ie).

The figure provided for 2018 is based on provisional outturn and may be subject to revision, as part of the finalisation of my Department's 2018 Appropriation Account.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (93)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

93. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the cost of newspapers in his Department in 2018 will be published. [2716/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department's expenditure on newspapers and online newspaper subscriptions for 2018 was as follows:

2018

Amount

Newspapers

€57,970.43

Online newspaper subscriptions

€13,575.47

TOTAL

€71,545.90

My Department liaises closely with the Office of Government Procurement on all matters related to public procurement and monitors all areas of expenditure, including on print media, on an ongoing basis to ensure that value for money is being achieved.

The figures provided for 2018 are based on provisional outturn and may be subject to revision, as part of the finalisation of my Department's 2018 Appropriation Account.

Defence Forces Retirements

Ceisteanna (94)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

94. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can avail of the extension to retirement age under the new Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018. [2329/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018, extending the retirement age for certain civil and public servants to 70 years of age, was signed by the President on 26th December, 2018, and came into effect from that date.

The Act allows for an increase in the compulsory retirement age from age 65 to age 70. Civilian Employees serving on 26th December, 2018, are subject to the Act and may remain in service up to age 70.  Accordingly, the person to whom the Deputy refers can avail of the extension to retirement age under the Act.

Defence Forces Reserve

Ceisteanna (95)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

95. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for a general service recruitment campaign for the Defence Forces Reserve in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2619/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. The Government recognises the important role that the three elements of the RDF play in contributing to Ireland's defence capability. The White Paper on Defence (2015) is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve Defence Force and it is currently on a developmental path arising from the recommendations of the White Paper.

The military authorities have informed me that they plan to run two recruitment campaigns for the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve this year, one in March and a second in October. Exact opening and closing dates have not yet been confirmed.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (96)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

96. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will publish the airline costs for his Department for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2689/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In 2018, an amount of €76,340.27 was expended by my Department on costs associated with ministerial and Department officials' air travel.  These costs are incurred in the discharge of the functions of my Department.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (97)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

97. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will publish the cost of newspapers in his Department in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2706/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The cost of newspapers to my Department in 2018 amounted to €8,446.72.

Defence Forces Personnel Data

Ceisteanna (98)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

98. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of females who were recruited into the Permanent Defence Force in 2017 and 2018. [2901/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The number of females recruited into the Permanent Defence Force in 2017 and 2018, as advised by the military authorities, is outlined in the table below.

Total Inductions

Total Female Inductions

% of Female Inductions

2017

730

68

9.3%

2018

611

50

8.2%

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (99)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

99. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of air transport provided by the Air Corps to each Minister and Minister of State in each Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018, inclusive; the number of trips by year; the cost per trip by date; and the number of passengers per trip by year in tabular form. [2948/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) provides the Government and the President with an independent and flexible air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations.

Information in relation to MATS is publicly available on my Department's website, www.defence.ie/ministerial-air-transport-service-mats.

In relation to costs, my Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under each of two headings:

(a) The variable cost, which comprises costs incurred only when the aircraft is flown including maintenance, fuel and support services i.e. it does not include costs associated with having the aircraft; and

(b) The total cost, which comprises the variable cost plus the fixed cost associated with having the aircraft. The latter comprises personnel costs and depreciation.

These average hourly costs, for each aircraft type used for MATS missions in the period covered by the Deputy's question, are set out in the table below.

For clarity, an additional average fixed cost per hour column has been included in the table below showing the cost associated with having the aircraft.  These costs will be the same regardless of how frequently the aircraft is flown.

Aircraft

Average Fixed Cost per hour

Average Variable Cost per hour

Average Total Cost per hour

Learjet

€1,730

€2,050

€3,780

CASA

€1,290

€1,860

€3,150

Agusta AW139

€1,400

€1,780 

€3,180

Israeli Settlements

Ceisteanna (100)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

100. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether a stronger stand should be taken on supporting persons who have been displaced and robbed of their property and possessions in Palestine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2349/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland and our EU partners have consistently made clear our view that the building and expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian Territory is illegal under international law, and undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospects for achieving a durable peace.  The activities to which the Deputy has referred, including forced transfers, evictions and demolitions, are an inherent element of the settlement project, intended to clear Palestinians off the land in favour of Israeli settlers. These actions are also illegal, deeply unjust, and provocative.

With the political process as such essentially frozen, Ireland has for some years focussed its efforts on the Middle East issues, both in the region and at international level, on trying to combat or mitigate these destructive and inhumane policies. We have discussed these aspects here in the Oireachtas on many occasions.

Locally, in the region, Ireland regularly conveys our views on these actions to the Israeli authorities, both directly and through the EU. I have done so myself on my visits to the area. During my visit in July 2017 Ireland joined a number of other international partners in the West Bank Protection Consortium, a grouping where we seek to work together to protect Palestinian communities. Irish and other EU representatives have visited threatened communities and attended legal hearings related to their cases. Ireland also funds Israeli and Palestinian NGOs engaged in defending these communities.

At EU level, the European Union has taken a number of actions relating to settlements. These include the levying of higher tariffs on goods from settlements compared with goods from within Israel's recognised borders, prohibiting the use of EU research funding in institutions located in settlements, and rules to prevent misleading labelling of goods from settlements as being from Israel. Ireland has been to the fore in securing many of these actions.

At Israel’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council last year, Ireland raised the continued expansion of settlements, and urged that Israel abide by its international legal obligations, including under the Fourth Geneva Convention, on the treatment of a civilian population under military occupation. I reiterated our concerns about these policies in my speech to the UN General Assembly in September.

These actions by Ireland and others have had some effects in halting, delaying or mitigating some actions, but we are all aware that the pressure on Palestinian communities continues and is growing. I again call upon the Israeli authorities to halt the demolitions of Palestinian property and the removal of Palestinian communities, and will continue to work to that end.

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (101)

James Browne

Ceist:

101. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with his UK counterpart the issue of border checks on trucks originating here and arriving in the UK from Rosslare Europort but which plan to travel onwards to another country within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2584/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government’s preparedness and contingency planning for Brexit has from the start included issues relating to the continued effective use of the UK landbridge. This is a priority for the Government given its importance for Irish exporters and importers as a means of access to the rest of the single market, in particular with regard to agri-food products. This is an important issue with regard to protecting the competitiveness of our producers and ensuring continued unhampered access to the EU Single Market.

To this end, I welcome the EU's agreement that the UK may join the Common Transit Convention upon its departure from the EU, and the number of formal steps taken to allow this to happen on 4 December 2018. The UK’s accession to the Common Travel Convention will play an important role in ensuring Ireland’s access to other EU Member States via the UK landbridge.

Retaining the effective use of the landbridge post-Brexit has been discussed at both political and official level with both the UK and the EU. As a result of these contacts, the importance of maintaining the landbridge has been recognised through the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland in the draft Withdrawal Agreement, which reaffirms the commitment of the UK to facilitate the efficient and timely transit through the UK of goods moving from Ireland to another EU Member State or another country, or vice versa.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (102)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

102. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will publish the airline costs for his Department for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2693/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is responsible for two Expenditure Votes, Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The airline costs incurred by Ministers and staff of the Department, across both Votes, in the year ending 31 December 2018, including in the network of overseas Missions, was €2,650,469. These costs are provisional and subject to audit. As the Deputy will appreciate, the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of necessity involves extensive travel. In 2018 airline costs represented 1.3% of the Department's total administration budget.

My Department complies with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on official travel. The central aim of the Departmental travel policy is to minimise official travel costs and to achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with the effective discharge of official duties.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (103)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

103. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will publish the cost of newspapers in his Department in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2710/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The effective functioning of a Foreign Ministry requires continuous access to the most up to date international and national news. This is more important than ever in the context of Brexit, on which my Department leads. My officials need timely, accurate information from multiple sources in order to navigate effectively in the highly dynamic and complex environment surrounding Brexit and other issues of vital national interest.

In 2018, the Department’s Library and Information Service spent €195,287 on subscriptions to print and digital newspapers for headquarters and missions abroad.

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (104)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

104. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has held discussions with the EU as to whether, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, there will be a transition period regarding implementation of the regulatory requirements in view of the administration requirement that this will entail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2773/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As part of prudent preparation for Brexit, steps need to be taken at national level, at EU level and by business and citizens who will be affected.

A no-deal Brexit would mean that on 29 March 2019 the UK's status under EU law would change from that of a Member State to that of a third country with no trade or co-operation agreements in place with the EU.  The transition period, as provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement, would not apply.

Ireland is in close bilateral contact with the European Commission. As part of these contacts, I met with Chief Negotiator Barnier yesterday while attending the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. Minister Humphreys will meet with Commissioner Vestager in Dublin on 24 January 2019 to discuss Brexit preparations. Other Ministers are in regular contact with Commissioners with responsibility for their sectoral areas.

In addition to close bilateral contact at Commissioner level, Ireland has engaged regularly at official level with the Commission on preparedness for Brexit. This included a meeting between senior officials from the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Commission Preparedness Group on 30 November 2018, to discuss issues of particular concern and impact for Ireland. Further engagement at a senior level will take place in the coming weeks.

As part of the planning and work at EU level a series of expert preparedness meetings involving officials from all Member States and the Commission have been underway since November and are currently ongoing. These seminars have covered a wide range of topics, including financial services, transport, data, fisheries, and citizen's rights. A full list of the topics covered in the expert seminars is included in the Government's Contingency Action Plan published on 19 December 2018.

Many of the actions aimed at mitigating the effects of a no deal outcome will be taken at the EU level as they involve areas of EU competence and sectors regulated by EU law. The EU has already published over 80 sectoral notices with detailed guidance across a range of sectors and are a source of advice for operators, businesses and regulators.

On 13 November 2018, the Commission published a Contingency Action Plan - Preparing for the UK withdrawal from the EU on 30 March 2019, which highlights key issues in the areas of citizens, financial services, air transport, road transport, customs, SPS requirements, personal data and EU climate policy. The Commission emphasises that it stands ready to engage with the Member States that will be most affected by a no deal withdrawal and expressly states that "the Commission will support Ireland in finding solutions addressing the specific challenges of Irish businesses."

In its communication on 19 December 2018, the Commission adopted a package of contingency measures preparing for a possible no deal Brexit. The package consists of a Communication "Implementing the Commission's Contingency Action Plan", five legislative proposals, four delegated acts, four implementing acts and one Commission Decision.

Much of the contingency work taking place at the EU level is in the context of efforts to make regulatory provision for the gaps that would inevitably result from a no deal Brexit and to ensure that there is minimal disruption for EU citizens and industry. In a no-deal scenario, the Commission envisages a limited number of time-limited contingency measures to mitigate significant disruptions in a number of defined areas.

Passport Applications

Ceisteanna (105)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

105. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the options available to a person (details supplied) to avail of an Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2822/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 as amended (“the Act”). The Act provides that a person must, among other things, be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him or her. The Passport Service is obliged to seek evidence of citizenship before a passport application may be processed.

Citizenship is in turn determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended), which sets out the different means through which a person may be or may become an Irish citizen.

Until November 2005, non-Irish spouses of Irish citizens had the option of signing a post-nuptial declaration in order to be recognised as Irish citizens themselves.  This option was repealed with effect from 30 November 2005 and cannot be claimed retrospectively.

A person may claim citizenship by descent if:

1. One of their grandparents was born in Ireland, or;

2. One of their parents was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth, even though they were not born in Ireland.

In these cases, a person can become an Irish citizen through Foreign Birth Registration. Once a person is entered onto the Foreign Births Register they are an Irish citizen and entitled to apply for an Irish passport.

If the individual in this case is not eligible to apply for citizenship via descent, it would appear that naturalisation is the only available means through which to establish Irish citizenship.  This comes under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality and further information is available from www.inis.gov.ie.

Consular Services Provision

Ceisteanna (106)

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

106. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the case of a person (details supplied) with a view to returning them to their family due to their personal circumstances and declining health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2878/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm to the Deputy that I am fully aware of this difficult and long-running consular case.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing extensive and ongoing consular assistance to this citizen and his family since 2011.  The local Irish Embassy has been engaging continuously with the local Foreign Ministry and other relevant local authorities.

Earlier this year the Embassy facilitated this citizen’s access to medical treatment and stands ready to do whatever it can to help with any further practical assistance.

The Government, through the Irish Embassy, has been active in support of the citizen's request that he be permitted to return to Ireland, and my Department, our Ambassador and his team will continue to follow up on this matter with the relevant local authorities.

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (107)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

107. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he spoke with Mr. Michel Barnier in the aftermath of the vote in the House of Commons on the Withdrawal Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2917/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I met with Michel Barnier on 21 January, in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. We discussed the disappointing but not unexpected outcome of the 15 January vote in the House of Commons on the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Both Mr Barnier and I are in agreement that what we need from the UK is clarity on how it proposes to move forward, and ultimately what it wants to achieve. The EU could then consider any next steps it might take.  The EU continues to take a united approach to the negotiations and I thanked Mr Barnier for his unwavering support for Ireland.

Mr Barnier and I remain firmly of the view that the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the British Government. The European Council has made clear that it stands by the Withdrawal Agreement and that it is not open for renegotiation.  The EU stands ready to work further on the Political Declaration as we look to the future relationship.

Mr Barnier reaffirmed his commitment to the backstop provisions contained in the Agreement, which is the only agreement on the table that provides the essential legal guarantee to avoid a hard border in any circumstances and protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.

In light of the ongoing uncertainty in Britain, however, the European Council has asked that preparedness work at the national and EU level intensify, taking account of all possible outcomes. I outlined Ireland’s approach in this regard, including planned legislation and other contingency measures.  I also thanked Mr Barnier for the Commission’s continued helpful and constructive engagement in this area, and their understanding of the particular challenges faced by Ireland.

NAMA Social Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (108, 109, 110, 111)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

108. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined the possibility of the State acquiring and using a location (details supplied) in Dublin 8 as a site for public, affordable and cost-rental housing units supported by central funding and the involvement of Dublin City Council and approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2524/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

109. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his Department had meetings or discussions with NAMA officials about a location (details supplied) in Dublin 8; if so, the details of the meetings; if his attention has been drawn to the NAMA-appointed receiver's appeal to have the location removed from the vacant site register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2525/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

110. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he has had discussions with NAMA officials about a location (details supplied) in Dublin 8; if the use of this site for the provision of social, public and affordable homes by the local authority and approved housing bodies will be supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2526/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

111. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if NAMA has considered offering a location (details supplied) in Dublin 8 to the local authority or an approved housing body for the provision of public and affordable housing; and if NAMA will be instructed to prepare a report on the feasibility of such action. [2527/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 111, inclusive, together.

I am advised by NAMA that it no longer has any involvement with the Player Wills site. The loans attaching to the site were fully repaid at par value by the borrower in late December 2018 and NAMA accordingly was obliged to release its legal charge over the site.

It is important to note that NAMA does not own or control property; rather NAMA owns loans for which the properties act as security. If a property owner repays the value of their loan, as occurred in this case, then NAMA no longer holds any security over the owner’s property. Thereafter, it is entirely a matter for the owner, in conjunction with the planning authorities, to determine how the property should be utilised.

Even in cases where the property owner has not repaid the value of their loan, NAMA cannot force a borrower to take action which would reduce his or her repayment capacity, such as providing a property for social or public housing where that is not the financially optimal course of actions for the borrower. To do so would compromise a borrower's capacity to repay his or her debts to NAMA and would constitute a direct breach of the borrower's property rights, protected under Article 43 of the Constitution.

NAMA was established as an independent commercial body and I do not have a role in its operations or decisions, or in relation to the properties securing its loans. In that respect, neither I nor any official from my Department met with the former receiver of the Players Wills site in order to discuss any matter related to the property.

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