Sinn Féin has welcomed the Public Accounts Committee report into the NAMA sale.

MLA Conor Murphy said the issue is "clearly this is an ongoing matter of public interest".

He said: "The Committee found that the handling of this affair was flawed, compromised and led to a significant loss of taxpayers' money.

"There is reference to a meeting which took place involving a former member of NAMA's northern advisory committee Frank Cushnahan among others and senior members of the DUP.

"Clearly there is a need for a Commission of Investigation into the entire NAMA affair in the South and we call on all of those involved to come forward and assist that process."


SDLP Finance Spokesperson Claire Hanna MLA said: "The publication of this report corroborates the findings of the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General that NAMA's northern portfolio was undersold to the extent of €220million, representing a substantial loss to the Irish taxpayer.

"Procedurally, the sale had significant flaws and there seems to have been a somewhat partitionist attitude in that the motivating factor for NAMA seemed to be getting rid of the northern portfolio as it was seen to be a nuisance.

"Concerns within Northern Ireland over Project Eagle are in no way allayed by the publication of this report. Questions now extend over three jurisdictions, five possibly criminal investigations and two parliamentary inquiries.

"The criminal investigations in particular seem to be proceeding at a funeral pace and it's time for the UK National Crime Agency to make clear the current state of their investigations. They have had ample time to make progress and it is time they treated the public with respect."

(CD/LM)