There has been a welcome for an announcement by the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) confirming the establishment of its NI Advisory Committee.
NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson said: "Since the announcement of NAMA in April 2009, I have liaised closely with Minister Lenihan to ensure that Northern Ireland interests are dealt with efficiently and effectively.
"As one of my key priorities was formal Northern Ireland input into the NAMA decision making process, I welcome the announcement of the Northern Ireland representatives, Frank Cushanan and Brian Rowntree on the Advisory Committee," he said.
"NAMA will shortly take control of some property and development loans based in Northern Ireland.
"I am confident that Mr Cushnahan and Mr Rowntree will bring a wealth of experience to the table, and will help ensure that Northern Ireland’s interests are best protected over this period and are in no way disadvantaged by the implementation of NAMA."
Mr Wilson concluded: "For my part I will be continuing my direct engagement with Minister Lenihan as the process develops."
NAMA, the Irish Republic's so-called "bad bank", has been set up to buy and manage mainly bad property loans held by Dublin-based financial institutions and will take over about £5bn of loans in Northern Ireland.
Financial experts believe as many as 200 individuals or businesses in NI will find themselves dealing with NAMA and developers who hold loans will have 30 days to produce a credible business plan for repaying the loans.
The aim of NAMA is to remove bad or impaired assets from the banks' balance sheets, allowing them to rebuild their financial strength.
Ultimately that will allow them to start lending again and get credit flowing to businesses and home buyers.
It is also hoped that it will protect or enhance Ireland's international credit rating.
The plan assumes NAMA's €54bn debt will fall by €6.5bn per year from 2013 onwards, until NAMA's wind-up in 2020.
(BMcC/GK)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
15/11/2024
An emergency road closure has been announced following serious structural integrity concerns of the former Antrim Arms Hotel building on Castle Street in Ballycastle. Following genuine fears surrounding the safety of the building's structure, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have ...
15/11/2024
A pre-design public consultation for the Dublin-based College Green - Dame Street Public Realm Project has been launched. The proposal to remodel College Green and Dame Street is a joint initiative by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority. The project aims to transform Dublin's ...
15/11/2024
A new plan which aims to fill vacant homes and revitalise derelict buildings has been proposed by Ireland's Green Party. The Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill put forward by the party aims to establish a single permitting system for fire, accessibility and planning in a one-stop-shop for ...
15/11/2024
Works will begin next week to provide a more reliable water supply in County Kildare, Uisce Éireann has announced. The improvements, which will take place in Allenwood, will also target the reduction of high levels of leakage. GMC Utilities Group are carrying out the works on behalf of Uisce ...
15/11/2024
Essential wastewater improvements being made to the North Street area in Carrickfergus are set to be completed on Friday, November 22, NI Water has announced. Further works will recommence to the area on January 6, after the busy Christmas period. The work is part of a major investment to improve ...
15/11/2024
A forthcoming road closure in Wicklow has been announced by the County Council ahead of essential roadworks which are suspected to last a week. The closure will impact the L-69052 road in Arklow and will take place on the junction of the L2901, Laffin's Lane and The Brook, from Monday, November ...
14/11/2024
A L'Derry park was visited by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs yesterday following the completion of extensive works. Manor Park in Moneymore welcomed Minister Andrew Muir MLA, who made the trip to see the result of extensive works which totalled £260,000. The ...
14/11/2024
A Railway Order planning application will be made by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) regarding the major Luas Finglas project. The application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála on Monday, November 18, while the public can make submissions about the proposed light rail line from November ...
14/11/2024
A new €8.8 million social housing scheme officially launched in County Louth recently. The Ferrard Park development in Drogheda contains 28 new houses which were acquired by Louth County Council from CFS Homes for tenants from the council's social housing waiting list. The houses, which include a ...
14/11/2024
A number of projects across Wicklow aimed at addressing the negative impacts of climate change have received a significant cash boost. Wicklow County Council and The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications announced an allocation of €675,574.33 to 20 community groups across the ...