Richard Bruton
Question:39 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he intends to take any action against the Goodman Group arising from their denial, now shown to have been incorrect, that they controlled Classic Meats.
Written Answers. - Control of Classic Meats.
A statement from Anglo Irish Beef Processors and Mr. Laurence Goodman dated 21 December 1989 denied having any beneficial ownership in the Master Meats Group.
I informed this House in my reply to a previous question on 22 March 1990, No. 11, at volume 397, column 968-971, that the Fair Trade Commision concluded that Mr. Laurence Goodman was in effective control of the Master Meats Group and that I considered such control to be undesirable and contrary to the common good.
I took appropriate action at that time in the form of two orders, made on 11 April 1990, under the Mergers, Take-overs and Monopolies (Control) Acts, 1978 and 1987. These orders, which remain in force, contain conditions requiring the disposal of four Master Meats plants as going concerns to interests other than Anglo Irish Beef Processors or connected parties.