asked the Minister for Supplies whether any representations were made to him regarding dealings in Dublin Distillers Company shares consequent on that firm having secured an export licence for a large quantity of whiskey; and if he will state what action he took on receipt of such representations on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shares in Distilling Company.
No representations of the nature mentioned by the Deputy were made to me.
I am unable to understand the Deputy's reference to an export licence in this connection. At the time that the Dublin Distillers Company, Limited, went into voluntary liquidation there were no restrictions on the export of whiskey and a licence for its export was not required.
The final part of the Deputy's question does not arise.
I am well aware that the Minister may not have received any representations as Minister for Industry and Commerce or as Minister for Supplies, but I would be glad to know if private representations were made to him as Deputy Lemass in connection with the shares, as I believe there were?
I fully appreciate the nature of the insinuation the Deputy is intending to convey. The Deputy, however, is a novice at this business of insinuation and, if he had further experience, he would at least take the elementary precaution of ascertaining what the facts were, and the facts are available to every Deputy. The statement has been made previously in this House that certain individuals were induced to buy shares in the Dublin Distillers Company, Limited, on the basis of information that a licence would be given for the export of whiskey. The fact is that, at the date upon which the company went into liquidation, no licence was required for the export of whiskey.