asked the Minister for Transport and Power the present position regarding Hibernian Transport and its various subsidiaries with special reference to business formerly carried on by the company and its subsidiaries; and the present position of the employees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hibernian Transport.
26.
Mr. O'Donnell
The affairs of these companies are now being administered by the liquidators appointed pursuant to an order of the High Court. I am advised by my legal advisers that, in these circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to enter into details of the affairs of the companies. It is, however, open to the Deputy to make inquiries direct from the liquidators.
Mr. O'Donnell
Surely the Minister could give us some indication as to what has happened, for example, to the tourism interest of the Hibernian Transport subsidiary, what is the position of the employees, how many of the former employees have been able to obtain alternative employment, and what has happened to the shipping interest of Hibernian Transport? Surely it should be possible to give us this information?
That was not asked for in the question. If the Deputy will ask a further question of the Minister for Transport and Power he might be able to reply to him within the limitations imposed by the fact that the liquidators are now dealing with this matter by an order of the High Court and that the Minister may not prejudice in any way the action of the liquidators. Next week the Deputy should ask a specific question of the Minister, who will then be able to reply to him. I have not got the answer to this question, and it quite clearly could not be answered in the light of the present position.