METRO Friday, September 11, 2009 D Opposition warns Nama will overpayBy COLM KELPIEBAD BANK Nama will still overpay for toxic assets despite new controls, oppo- sition politicians claimed last night. The Labour Party said no significant changes have been made by the Govern- ment and warned it places too much power in the hands of Finance Minister Brian Lenihan. Joan Burton, finance spokeswoman, said Fianna Fil was placating the Green Party and had not taken the advice of ei- ther the public or the Opposition. Fianna Fil remains determined to em- power Nama to overpay for toxic bank loans, Ms Burton said. If they continue on this course, with the hapless Greens in tow, the burden on this generation of citi- zens and the next could be enormous. And while she acknowledged that input had been sought and there was extensive debate, it is clear that little or none of this advice has been taken on board. The revised Bill contains a risk-sharing arrangement between the banks and the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) which makes lobbying the agen- cy a crime and imposes an 80 per cent tax on developers profits in cases where they gain from rezoned land. The Green Party has taken credit for the changes prompting Taoiseach Brian Cowen to say the Government was work- ing together to ensure the legislation re- flects all the needs and concerns of the people. But Ms Burton said the windfall tax was introduced to placate the Greens and had nothing to do with Nama, and also claimed too much power was being given to Mr Lenihan. If Nama is ratified as proposed, we would still be looking at a Fianna Fil finance minister installed as a property tsar heading up the biggest property company on Earth, she said. Additionally, Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton said taxpayers should be able to see who they are bailing out. METRODigest A TURKISH woman accused of cutting off her lovers penis must wait 18 months for a verdict and sentencing while a court determines if his re- attached organ still functions. A court in Trabzon will wait for a medical report assessing whether the victim has regained full use of his organ or if he is permanently disabled. To determine which crime was committed, we first need the report, an official said. The woman faces up to three years in prison if her former lover recovers, or at least eight years if he does not. BUSINESS chiefs yesterday backed calls for public sector pay cuts after figures showed the cost of living has dropped by six per cent in the last year. Household bills are down more than a quarter while High Street prices for everyday items, fashion and transport have also seen significant falls. The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (Isme) claimed the public sector was bloated. The reality is that while the private sector continues to pay for the profligacy of the public sector, jobs are being lost and small and medium firms are going to the wall, Isme chief Mark Fielding said. This is the area of the economy where genuine reform and savings can be made, he added. Isme backs pay cuts as prices decrease GOING out to restaurants is the most difficult social activity for people with disabilities and their families, a new report reveals. Both physical and social barriers to participating in social and leisure activities have been identified by disability charity Enable Ireland. Physical barriers, such as a lack of accessible toilets, ramps and parking and social barriers, such as a lack of disability awareness or understanding were the most common identified barriers to activities such as going to restaurants and pubs, playgrounds, cinemas, and playing sports. Enable Ireland released the results ahead of their annual fundraising and awareness week, which takes place from September 14. Disabled still hindered by barriers JOE HIGGINS has denied allegations he falsified some of his No vote campaign material. General Secretary of the Civil and Public Services Union Blair Horan accused the Socialist Party leader of changing part of the Treaty to suit his own arguments about the treatys impact on workers rights. But last night Mr Higgins (pictured) described the allegation as a disgusting Stalinist ploy. Meanwhile, Taoiseach Brian Cowen reminded voters that next months referendum is about the Lisbon Treaty. This is not about whether you support or oppose the government, he said. It is about exercising your right. Higgins in row over campaign material index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html